Congo's Uranium Riches Raise Strategic Stakes and Contamination Risks

The Democratic Republic of Congo holds substantially more uranium in its soil than previously known, according to a report by The New York Times and Lighthouse Reports. This uranium is found mixed with cobalt ore, a mineral for which Congo is the world's largest producer.

The discovery elevates Congo's geopolitical significance, particularly for major powers like China, while simultaneously amplifying concerns about radioactive contamination risks for communities living near mining sites. Trucks carrying cobalt from Congo to Zambia are a common sight, but the report suggests they should be screened for radiation, as significant amounts of uranium are being smuggled across the border.

Historically, uranium from Congo's Shinkolobwe mine was crucial for the U.S. atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Although the mine was sealed after Congo's independence in 1960 and uranium exports were strictly regulated by a 2002 mining code, smuggling has persisted for years, often flying under the radar. The mine, established in 1925, was a profitable venture during Belgian colonial rule, with uranium and radium extracted for processing in Belgium.