Congolese mining company rejects US allegations following sanctions

Congo mine

Labourers work at an open shaft of the SMB coltan mine near the town of Rubaya in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on August 13, 2019.

Photo credit: Reuters

The Congolese mining company sanctioned by the United States this week has said it "categorically rejects" allegations linking it to armed groups and mineral smuggling in turbulent eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions against the Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC) over what it called the illicit sale of critical minerals smuggled from the mineral-rich region of Rubaya.