2017 to date, Compagnie Minière de Musonoïe (COMMUS) allocated USD 12.6M to 8 local DRC communities
The Compagnie Minière de Musonoïe (COMMUS) is located in the Mutoshi district in the commune of Manika in the city of Kolwezi. It employs around 2,500 national workers. Its shareholders are made up of the Chinese firm Zijin Mining Group Company Limited which holds 72% while 28% goes to Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines) and at this stage has an annual production capacity of around 120,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 tonnes of cobalt. Its first phase of the mining and metallurgical project started its construction in June 2015 and it was fully commissioned in June 2017 and reached production standards in the same year.
Social contribution
From 2017 to date, COMMUS has contributed socially to the needs of eight communities surrounding its concession, to the tune of USD 12,680,000. This is what the documents in our possession provide.
“This money was used for: construction of civilian water wells and support facilities $ 10,000,000; regular and free repair and maintenance of the civilian water supply system $ 1,200,000; free repair emergency civil electricity network 1,000,000 USD; construction / repair of municipal road systems USD 150,000; social assistance donations (ad hoc donation against disasters in Goma) and special donations to the community, etc. 120,000 USD; the ad hoc financial donation against Covid-19, etc, 210,000 USD; In total 12,680,000 USD ”.
Specifications
COMMUS signed in February 2021 with the eight local communities the Specifications for 2021-2025 with an investment of USD 4.4 million spread over 5 years to successively build around twenty projects such as: training schools, medical centers, professional farms, agricultural markets, water supply facilities etc. Recommendations made by local communities.
Difficulties and challenges
Like the other mining companies in the Katanga area, COMMUS is stuck with a serious problem of energy deficit because of the poor electricity supply to the National Electricity Company (SNEL).
“This last time, we have a serious electricity problem. If there is a power cut, our cycles are not respected and our tonnages are no longer normal. The SNEL current is essential for our proper functioning. current, we will not be able to work ”, explains Mr. Eli Kalenga, Deputy Director of the cobalt workshop.
Besides the energy deficit, this mining company suggests that many residents around its mine pick up and steal its minerals, and security is under great pressure.
“Our concession has been exposed to illegal attacks by diggers for a long time, leading not only to injuries to employees and IMs but also to significant losses of equipment and production facilities,” denounces this company.
The energy power supplied by SNEL to mining companies in the Katanga area does not meet half of its expectations. Several mining companies are calling on SNEL to improve the quality of its electricity supply.
