Le lundi 24 février 2025, l' Autorité de Regulation and Control of Markets in Strategic Mineral Substances (ARECOMS) announced the suspension of cobalt exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo for a period of four months.

The suspension of cobalt exports aims to regulate supply on a global market saturated by overproduction. ARECOMS has indicated that an evaluation of the impact of this suspension will be carried out in three months. A new decision can then be taken to modify, extend or lift the measure. According to an official statement signed by Patrick Mpoyi Luabeya, President of the ARECOMS Board of Directors, this suspension concerns all mining operations such as Industrial, Semi-industrial, Artisanal

ARECOMS is the public body responsible for regulating the markets for strategic mineral substances such as cobalt, coltan and germanium. It was created in November 2019. Its mission is to stabilize the market for strategic minerals, to formalize the artisanal sector and to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism