Source:
Institute for the Study of War (ISW) News, August 2025
The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains precarious, with renewed clashes involving the M23 armed group in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The volatility is disrupting transport routes and heightening risks for mining communities and companies operating in the region, which hosts significant deposits of cobalt, copper, gold, and other critical minerals. Humanitarian agencies report fresh waves of displacement, adding to the already severe strain on local infrastructure and public services.
The affected areas are integral to global supply chains for battery and electronics manufacturing, as they supply key minerals like cobalt, of which the DRC produces more than 70% of the world’s supply. However, the ongoing conflict not only endangers mining staff and contractors but also jeopardizes the movement of mineral concentrates to export hubs. Companies have faced increasing costs for security, insurance, and logistics, and some have scaled back operations or rerouted exports to avoid high-risk zones.
This instability matters because it directly threatens the social license to operate for both domestic and foreign mining ventures in the DRC. Community trust in mining companies can erode rapidly if operations are seen to contribute to local insecurity or fail to provide tangible benefits amid conflict. Sustainable operations in such contexts require conflict-sensitive business practices, transparent engagement with local stakeholders, and coordinated efforts with government and civil society to mitigate the humanitarian impact—otherwise, even projects with strong market demand risk being undermined by social and political instability.