Jinchuan Group International Resources has uncovered an alleged $145 million fraud scheme tied to its copper and cobalt operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following an independent investigation that revealed years of questionable procurement transactions, fabricated invoices, and suspicious cash payments.

The investigation focused on the company’s Ruashi Mine operations, where former local employees were accused of exploiting weak internal oversight between 2019 and 2024 to divert company funds through suppliers and intermediaries that investigators said had “no apparent business purpose.”

According to a filing released late Friday, investigators identified approximately $137.4 million in payments to 12 suppliers linked to the alleged scheme, along with an additional $7.1 million transferred to the personal bank account of a former employee.

The company also disclosed that investigators reviewed $66.8 million in expenditures connected to what it described as “government-related affairs” in Congo.

These included payments routed through a third-party intermediary hired to negotiate tax disputes and penalties with local authorities.

Jinchuan said investigators found no evidence that company employees directed the intermediary to make illegal payments to government officials. The company also stated that no evidence linked senior management at the Hong Kong-listed parent company to the misconduct.

The firm’s special investigation committee concluded that the alleged fraud was carried out primarily by employees at the Ruashi Mine who took advantage of weak procurement controls and limited financial oversight at the Congo operation.

Jinchuan International’s shares have been suspended from trading since March 2025 following delays in publishing its financial results. The company said the suspect payments were previously recorded as mining and operating expenses but will now be reclassified as “other losses,” adding that the change is not expected to materially alter historical profit figures.

The company has reported the matter to prosecutors in Congo, suspended or dismissed implicated employees, and cut ties with several suppliers connected to the investigation as it seeks to strengthen internal controls and restore investor confidence.