DR Congo to suspend cobalt exports for 4 months

KINSHASA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced a four-month suspension of cobalt exports to regulate supply amid concerns of overproduction in the global market, authorities said Monday.

In a statement, the DRC's Regulatory and Oversight Authority for Strategic Mineral Substances Markets (ARECOMS), a public body under the Ministry of Mines, said that the suspension applies to all mining operations, including industrial, semi-industrial, artisanal, and small-scale production. An evaluation will be conducted after three months to determine whether to modify or lift the suspension.