Researchers Reveal Unofficial Uranium Exports from Congo to China
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Princeton have uncovered that between 2000 and 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exported between 2,000 to 5,000 metric tons of uranium as part of its cobalt supply chain. This uranium, which is a byproduct of cobalt mining, was sent to China without being reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The DRC, a major source of cobalt, has not officially reported uranium production for decades. The uranium, which can be used for nuclear energy or weapons, was not tracked by the IAEA, raising concerns about its potential use. The researchers suggest that the uranium was not intentionally exported for nefarious purposes but highlight the need for better monitoring and separation of uranium from cobalt mining processes. 
