Intruders backed by soldiers are again operating illegally at one of the world’s biggest sources of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The recurrence of the incursion at the project belonging to a subsidiary of Eurasian Resources Group, which was first reported by Bloomberg in May, represents a challenge to the authority of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. He ordered ministers in July to “definitively end all forms of illegal militarization of mining sites,” saying the issue “fosters negative perceptions of the governance of our natural resources.” The unauthorized mining activity occurred on Metalkol’s concession near Kolwezi, DRC, on Sept. 3.

ERG said the return of army-backed intruders undermines efforts to secure legal and responsible cobalt supply chains in the region.