ASM Cobalt Mining
Key Facts
110,000+
Artisanal miners
1 million+
People depending on ASM
Critical Minerals
for the energy transition
Strategic for DRC
To enhance economic development
The Challenge
The Challenge
The artisanal and small-scale copper-cobalt mining sector in the DRC Lualaba and Haut Katanga provinces provides livelihoods for an estimated 110,000 miners and their communities (more than 1 million of people). It plays a crucial socio-economic role in mining regions such as Lualaba Province where few alternative income opportunities exist. In addition, ASM has been an integral albeit neglected part of global cobalt and copper value chains for decades. Given the projected increased demand in the context of the clean energy and electric mobility transition and a lack of alternative livelihoods, this is unlikely to change.
At the same time, much of the ASM sector continues to operate between the formal and informal economy. In the copper-cobalt producing provinces, many artisanal mining operations take place outside legally designated ASM zones, including on large-scale mining concessions, often with limited application of health and safety, environmental, social and human rights standards. Working conditions are hazardous, environmental risks persist.
And child labour and other social challenges remain structural concerns mostly driven by persisting poverty and limited alternative economic opportunities in communities around mining operations. Efforts are ongoing to support the formalisation of the sector, from governmental initiatives to the initiatives of international partners and cooperation. This includes the creation of zones designated to ASM activities, the site amodiation model with EGC and several programmes working on formalisation, child labour prevention and remediation, vocational training, etc.
Yet, this requires continuous engagement and efforts to address the systemic and broad challenges of the sector, and C4D is trying to contribute to such improvements.
Our Response
C4D applies a scalable, pragmatic, and flexible implementation model to transform ASM. By combining continuous improvement, technical expertise and institutional cooperation with government, ASM actors and industry partners, the initiative delivers interventions grounded in the DRC's political, regulatory and economic realities, while supporting EU strategic priorities
Responsible Operations
Supporting continuous improvement in health and safety, environmental and social impacts management, legal compliance and mine organisation.
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Market Linkages
Creating the conditions that enable responsibly produced artisanal cobalt and copper to progressively access formal markets.
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Enabling Ecosystem
Facilitating and promoting cooperation between institutions and stakeholders to support responsible ASM.
DiscoverHow we work
Supporting formalisation of ASM through the promotion of legal, safe, and responsible mining practices, and technical capacity development.
C4D assists selected ASM sites in continuously improving mining practices and strengthening responsible operations. Working with key Congolese institutions such as SAEMAPE and EGC, the initiative provides technical expertise, reinforces capacities and promotes the transfer of practical knowledge and tools to support wider implementation. Beyond that, C4D works to facilitate the link between formalised, responsible ASM producers and downstream markets with due diligence requirements. By helping create market incentives for responsible production, the initiative seeks to shift the sector from compliance driven by external support towards a more commercially sustainable model of transformation
The C4D approach is designed to demonstrate operational, social, and economic viability of responsible ASM activities. Successful implementation is expected to encourage replication, strengthen institutional ownership, and foster investor confidence; thus creating a scalable model for the formalisation of ASM.
Demonstrating progress through practice
Working alongside its partners, C4D translates practical implementation into measurable improvements, strengthened capacities and practical knowledge that support the formalisation of artisanal cobalt and copper mining.
Knowledge Hub
Learn how C4D translates experience into action through practical resources
Working in partnership
Responsible ASM can only be achieved through collaboration.
