Verify any African copper supplier, at source
Background checks, mine inspection, independent assay, legal review — run on the ground in Zambia and DR Congo. Each engagement is scoped to your deal.
How We Verify a Supplier
Registration, licences and authority to sell — checked before your capital moves.
supplier verification, independent assay and transaction support, on your side of the table.
The SokoDolla Verification Standard
The seven checks we complete for buyers who are sourcing copper, cobalt, coltan or gold in Africa. Every engagement is measured against this standard, and every report states which checks passed, which failed, and which could not be completed.
- 1
Legal existence
The company is confirmed to exist on the national registry of its country of incorporation — PACRA in Zambia, RCCM in the DR Congo, BRELA in Tanzania. A certificate supplied by the seller is not accepted as proof; the registry record is checked directly.
- 2
Licence validity
Mining, trading and export licences are verified against the issuing authority — the Zambian Mining Cadastre Portal or the DRC CAMI database — and checked for current validity, correct scope and correct holder. Expired and borrowed licences are the most common defect we find.
- 3
Authority to sell
The counterparty is established as producer, authorised agent or licensed trader, and the signatory is confirmed as authorised to bind the company. Where the seller is a trader, the chain back to the licensed producer is documented.
- 4
Physical existence of the material
The goods are inspected on site at the warehouse or stockyard. Quantity, packing condition, lot identification and brand marking are recorded with dated photographic and video evidence taken by our inspector — never photographs supplied by the seller.
- 5
Independent assay
Samples are drawn under supervision and submitted to an accredited laboratory — SGS, Bureau Veritas, Alex Stewart or Intertek. The certificate is issued to the buyer directly. A certificate that arrives via the seller is treated as unverified until confirmed with the issuing laboratory.
- 6
Documentary integrity
Certificate of origin, export permit, quality and non-radioactivity certificates, packing list and proof of allocation are each verified with the body that issued them. For coltan, ICGLR regional certification is confirmed with the issuing authority and reconciled against the tags and seals on the physical bags.
- 7
Counterparty screening
Sanctions, adverse-media, litigation and politically-exposed-person screening is carried out on the company and its directors, together with a review of the payment route.
An adverse report is a legitimate outcome. Findings are reported exactly as we find them, which is what allows us to report every finding plainly, whichever way it points.
Request a Verification Engagement
Step 1 of 2 — Tell us about the supplier you want verified
Drag & drop supplier documents here
PDFs, images — passport, company registration, mining/export licence, tax ID, assay certificates, invoices (max 10 files)
Our Due Diligence & Procurement Services
Pick what matches your deal. Every engagement is scoped to depth — from a background check to full on-the-ground inspection with legal support.
Company & Mining-License Background Check
We validate company registration (PACRA in Zambia, RCCM in DRC), tax IDs, beneficial ownership, and mining licences against Zambia's Mining Cadastre Portal and the DRC CAMI database. The standard first step for any new copper supplier.
Document Authentication & Assay Verification
We verify assay certificates directly with the issuing labs (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Alfred H Knight), confirm export permits, certificates of origin, and — for DRC — ICGLR conflict-free certificates from CEEC. Documents are checked against the body that issued them, not taken at face value.
On-Site Mine & Warehouse Inspection (We Travel For You)
Don't want to fly to Zambia or DRC? Our team visits the mine, warehouse, or stockyard on your behalf — confirming the operation exists at the claimed scale, capturing photos and video, witnessing loading, and reporting back. We cover the Copperbelt (Kitwe, Ndola, Solwezi) and Lualaba / Haut-Katanga (Kolwezi, Lubumbashi).
Independent Copper Sampling & Lab Testing
We draw physical samples at source and submit them to SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek for XRF purity analysis and ICP-OES elemental testing. The lab certificate comes to you directly — not a copy supplied by the seller.
Enhanced Supplier Investigation
A deeper, scope-based verification when the deal size justifies it: trade-community references, court and litigation history, adverse-media review, sanctions and PEP screening, beneficial-ownership tracing, and discreet on-the-ground confirmation that the claimed offices, plant, and personnel actually exist. Conducted lawfully through public records and licensed local partners — never surveillance of individuals.
Negotiation & Procurement Consulting
Engage us to negotiate on your behalf with suppliers — pricing relative to the LME, TC/RC charges on concentrate, Incoterms, LC or T/T payment structure, payment milestones, and inspection clauses. We push back on red-flag terms (advance fees, off-market discounts, "exclusive" mandates) and protect your position.
Legal Review & Contract Coordination
Independent review of sale-and-purchase agreements, LC and T/T payment clauses, inspection and force-majeure language — coordinated with licensed local counsel in Zambia or DRC where needed. We flag risks and rewrite weak clauses before you sign; binding legal advice comes from the qualified attorneys we coordinate with.
1-on-1 Client Engagement Travel
For larger or strategic engagements we come to you. Our team flies to your country for in-person deal review, supplier-shortlist walkthroughs, and procurement-process briefings with your team — no Zoom-only diligence on multi-million-dollar deals.
Final Risk Score & Recommendation Report
Every engagement closes with a written report: 0-100 trust score, colour-coded risk level, detailed findings across each service we ran, and a clear proceed / proceed-with-conditions / avoid recommendation you can act on.
Not sure what you need? Submit the form above with a short note about your deal — we'll come back with a recommended scope and transparent quote.
Three Steps to Certainty
Submit Details
Tell us about the supplier, the deal context, and what services you'd like — from a quick background check to on-site inspection, negotiation, or legal review. Upload any documents you have.
Scope & Quote
Within 24 hours we come back with a recommended scope, timeline, and transparent quote — no charge to scope. You approve what you want done before any work begins.
Get Your Report
We deliver a written report with risk score (0-100), detailed findings across every service we ran, and a clear proceed / proceed-with-conditions / avoid recommendation.
How We Compare
Most providers work to a fixed template. We scope to the transaction — on the ground in Zambia and the DRC, integrated from verification through to contract.
| Capability | SokoDolla | Generic DD Firms |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of work | Set by the transaction | Fixed template, often overscoped |
| Turnaround (standard checks) | 24-48 hours | 5-15 business days |
| Africa-specific verification | ||
| On the ground in Zambia & DRC | ||
| Physical mine / warehouse inspection | ||
| Independent sampling & lab testing | ||
| Enhanced supplier investigation | Sometimes | |
| Negotiation consulting | ||
| Legal review & contract coordination | Sometimes | |
| Sanctions & PEP screening | ||
| 1-on-1 travel to client country |
Know Exactly Who You're Dealing With.
Verify Your Supplier, Confirmed at Source.
Tell us about the supplier and the deal. We'll come back with a recommended scope and transparent quote within 24 hours — no charge to scope.
