Four independent scientific studies published in June 2026 have confirmed widespread toxic pollution around the copper and cobalt mining zones of Kolwezi and Fungurume in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region that produces a large share of the world's cobalt supply. Researchers from Source International, an Italian environmental science organisation, measured fine particle concentrations at eight monitored sites — including a school attended by roughly 1,500 children — and found levels up to three times the WHO limit, with dust carrying cobalt, copper, and manganese, while water sources showed traces of arsenic, lead, and uranium. The three mining companies implicated — CMOC, Glencore, and Zijin Mining — were notified ahead of publication; CMOC disputed any causal link to reported health problems, Glencore said it would consider the findings, and Zijin Mining requested additional time without responding, while researchers are calling for an urgent, company-funded independent health assessment.