Inventory of copper–cobalt mining waste in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a baseline for environmental monitoring

Authors: Kidinda, LK; Six, A; Kalenga Tshingomba, U; Sebagenzi, GD; Irung Bwanaching, E; Ombeni, S; Schütte, P

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DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_145

Cite As:
Kidinda, LK, Six, A, Kalenga Tshingomba, U, Sebagenzi, GD, Irung Bwanaching, E, Ombeni, S & Schütte, P 2026, 'Inventory of copper–cobalt mining waste in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a baseline for environmental monitoring', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-16, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_145

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Abstract:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is central to global copper and cobalt supply, yet the regional footprint of mining waste remains poorly documented despite its importance for environmental risk, mine closure and post-closure management. Here we combine documentary review, remote sensing and targeted field verification to establish the first harmonised regional inventory of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and waste rock dumps (WRDs) in the Congolese Copperbelt. We identify 453 facilities, comprising 107 TSFs and 346 WRDs, and show that they are strongly concentrated within the main mining–urban corridor and commonly occur close to water bodies and settlements. A disproportionate share of the mapped waste footprint falls within the high-hazard class, while facilities of all hazard levels remain embedded in inhabited and hydrologically connected landscapes. To support practical use of the results, we also develop a dashboard (https://cartowaste.geoprojet-rdc.de) for facility visualisation and screening. Together, these outputs frame mining waste in the region as a cumulative exposure pattern and long-term liability, rather than only a sitelevel issue. The inventory and dashboard provide a baseline for environmental risk screening, closure planning and regulatory prioritisation. More sustainable mining waste management and eventual mine closure in the DRC will require moving beyond fragmented inventories and site-by-site oversight towards a regional, risk-based and life cycle approach.

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