Zoom on Lualaba Province, Menda Central mine, in August of this year. Soldiers from the Republican Guard (GR) are guarding the entrance to the copper- and cobalt-rich site not far from the Shinkolobwe uranium reserve (Haut-Katanga). Their presence is a surprise to the delegation sent to inspect the mine. The dozen senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and senior officials mandated by DRC's national commission against mining fraud (CNLFM) are refused access,
