Beijing promises severe sanctions to Chinese companies involved in illegal mining activities in DRC
Beijing announces its support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the repression of illegal mining activities where certain Chinese companies are cited. This is what emerges from a series of messages posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 on Twitter by Wu Peng, an executive of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The latter indicates that the Beijing authorities have ordered the six Chinese mining companies banned from activities by the Governor of South Kivu province to pack up and leave the sites “as soon as possible ”.
This senior official in Chinese diplomacy is also announcing severe sanctions against any Chinese company guilty of the charges brought by the DRC.
“ In addition, the affected companies will be punished and sanctioned by the Chinese government. Relevant authorities in Fujian and other provinces are investigating and will take action. We will never allow Chinese companies in Africa to violate local laws and regulations, ” Wu Peng wrote.
Recall that on August 20, 2021, an order signed by the provincial authority of South Kivu ordered BM Global Business, Congo Blueant Minerals, Orientale Ressource Congo, Yellow Water Resource, New Continent Mineral and Groupe Cristal Service, the suspension of their mining activities in this entity.
The Governor of South Kivu accuses these companies in particular of ” doing mining when they only have exploration permits “. Which does not give them the right to operate.
For some analysts, this exit of the Chinese government can be interpreted as a response to growing criticism targeting Beijing about its control, sometimes considered illegal, over the riches of the African subsoil through its many investors.
The position taken by China comes in a context where Kinshasa has attacked mining contracts signed between the state and mining investors.
The $ 6 billion deal concluded under Joseph Kabila with a consortium of Chinese companies is also part of it.
In this logic, the Government of the DRC wants to be reassured that the country’s minerals really benefit the country’s daughters and sons.
