Civil Society Condemns Large-Scale Illegal Mining by Chinese Firms in Ituri
Civil society in Ituri province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has condemned the large-scale illegal exploitation of minerals by Chinese companies operating in Mambasa territory.
In an interview on Monday, February 3, 2025, Dieudonné Lossa Dhekana, a civil society coordinator, criticized the illicit activities and highlighted the violation of Congolese mining laws.
According to Dhekana, these Chinese firms exploit minerals through cooperatives—an approach that contradicts Congolese law, which prohibits foreign entities from operating through such structures. He expressed concern over the scale of the exploitation and the lack of benefits for local communities.
“The population deplores the fact that this mining activity has no social impact. Those who exploit do not hire local workers, they do not invest in community development, and they evade their responsibilities by hiding behind cooperatives,” Dhekana stated.
He further emphasized that the most targeted mineral in Mambasa is gold, adding that the exploitation is conducted illegally on a massive scale.
Illegal mining in Ituri is not limited to Chinese operators. Armed groups and criminal networks are also heavily involved. A United Nations report published on December 27, 2024, revealed that gold mining in the province, a hotspot for conflict and armed group activity, remains largely outside state control. According to the report, at least $140 million per year from gold mining funds armed groups and criminal syndicates.
The report also uncovered that mining cooperatives pay the Congolese National Police and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) for protection.
Furthermore, many mining sites remain under the control of armed groups, including CODECO-URDPC and the Zaire/ADCVI group in Djugu territory, as well as FRPI, the Patriotic and Integrationist Front of Congo, and MAPI in Irumu territory. CODECO-URDPC is also active in Mahagi territory.
The growing concerns over illegal mining and its links to armed conflicts highlight the urgent need for stronger regulatory enforcement and accountability in Ituri’s mining sector.
