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Zijin cooperating with Congo probe after radiation discovered in cobalt load

Chinese mining giant Zijin Mining stated on Tuesday it would cooperate with authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo after radiation was found in a shipment of cobalt from its mine in the nation, and had remembered it.

The company stated above-normal radiation levels were detected on a cobalt consignment during a regular customizeds evaluation in Botswana, despite the fact that the delivery had actually been evaluated prior to being exported.

Congolese authorities suspended the activities of Zijin's. COMMUS mine over the event, which is being examined. The. miner stated the delivery had been released with a radiation. detection credentials report by Congo's General Commission for. Atomic Energy (CGEA).

While the cobalt hydroxide passed the certified testing of a. third-country radiation security agency during transport,. authorities in Botswana spotted the above-normal radiation. levels, the company stated.

Some Congo producers transportation cobalt by road via Zambia and. Botswana to be exported via Namibia's port of Walvis Bay.

During customs clearance screening in Botswana, there was a. believed radiation exceedance concern, Zijin said.

We will work together with the government joint working group. to examine the origin as quickly as possible, take. proper procedures, and make sure product compliance.

Zijin owns a 72% stake in the COMMUS copper and cobalt mine,. and the rest is owned by Congo state miner, Gecamines.

COMMUS, based near Congo's southern city of Kolwezi,. produced 129,000 tonnes of copper and about 2,200 lots of cobalt. in 2015.

Zijin stated it had actually informed Congolese authorities of the. higher levels of radiation and started the recall of the. delivery.