The Congolese tax authority, DGI, has sealed the office belonging to a copper mine owned by Glencore, further escalating the dispute over suspected arrears to the country. According to people familiar with the matter, the DGI closed the office of the Kamoto Copper Company in the city of Kovec on Thursday. A person familiar with the matter said that the surprise operation did not affect production at the company's nearby mines and processing plants. The Congo is the world's second-largest producer of copper and one of the largest producers of cobalt, with Kamoto being one of the main producers of both minerals. According to two sources, the tax department accuses the company of owed billions of dollars. The source said the Swiss National Tax Service intervened in the matter after failing to reach a settlement with the company. A Glencore spokesperson said the company denied DGI's accusations and continued to communicate with authorities.

The Congolese tax authority, DGI, has sealed the office belonging to a copper mine owned by Glencore, further escalating the dispute over suspected arrears to the country. According to people familiar with the matter, the DGI closed the office of the Kamoto Copper Company in the city of Kovec on Thursday. A person familiar with the matter said that the surprise operation did not affect production at the company's nearby mines and processing plants. The Congo is the world's second-largest producer of copper and one of the largest producers of cobalt, with Kamoto being one of the main producers of both minerals. According to two sources, the tax department accuses the company of owed billions of dollars. The source said the Swiss National Tax Service intervened in the matter after failing to reach a settlement with the company. A Glencore spokesperson said the company denied DGI's accusations and continued to communicate with authorities.