Trafigura inks cobalt deal with DRC artisanal miners

Congo accounts for around 60 percent of global supply - estimated at around 110,000 tonnes this year.

The company is mired in disputes with the governments of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo over law changes that raise taxes in the countries.

Mugabe to face legislators over his previous pronouncements that the state had been deprived of at least $15 billion in diamond revenue by mining companies.

Congo's state miner Gecamines is seeking to dissolve Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), blaming Glencore for high debts that have weighed on the mine for more than 10 years.

The 25.97-carat rough emerald is considered both “rare and exceptional” given its size, colour saturation and clarity.

First Quantum said that Zambia's tax agency had demanded the taxes, saying they were on import duties, penalties and interest on consumables and spare parts.

Demonstrators say the mine, owned by Saudi billionaire Mohammed al-Amoudi, has caused pollution, brith defects and other health issues.

Zimbabwe Mines Minister Winston Chitando said the country would generate revenue of $1.4bn over eight years from the Kamativi lithium project.

The deaths brings the number of people killed at the company's operations this year to at least 10.