DRC Mining Week Marks 20 Years of Mining Growth and National Progress
Lubumbashi, DRC – DRC Mining Week, a flagship gathering for business and investment opportunities in the mining sector, celebrated its 20th anniversary last Wednesday in Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga Province in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The opening ceremony, held at the Pullman Karavia Hotel, was brief but symbolic. In his keynote speech, Bin Nassor Kasongo, President of the DRC Chamber of Mines, highlighted the evolution of the event over two decades, describing it as more than just a trade fair.
“Beyond a simple sectoral meeting, this event became a platform for national ambition — to make the Congolese mining industry a strategic lever for sustainable development, creating value for the State, investors, and communities,” said Kasongo.
“Today, we celebrate 20 years of challenges met, significant transformation, and, above all, tangible results.”
Over the last 20 years, substantial foreign and domestic investment flowed into the country, positioning the DRC as one of Africa’s most attractive mining destinations.
Kasongo noted that several world-class projects had emerged, spurring the development of essential infrastructure, creating thousands of skilled jobs, and improving livelihoods through targeted social programs.
The event’s host province, Haut-Katanga, reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and inclusive mining sector.
“Haut-Katanga is proud to host this high-level gathering. Lubumbashi, the copper capital and industrial heartbeat of Congo, is honored to be at the center of this 20th-anniversary celebration,” said Martin Kazembe, Vice-Governor of Haut-Katanga.
“We are committed to maintaining a stable, secure, and investor-friendly environment, while ensuring mining revenues genuinely benefit our people.”
The three-day event featured a series of expert panels and discussions focused on sustainable development, local value creation, and long-term strategies for enhancing the mining industry in the DRC.
DRC Mining Week 2025 not only celebrated two decades of industry progress but also reaffirmed the country’s ambitions to harness its vast mineral wealth in ways that drive economic growth and social development for future generations.
