DRC Govt Strengthens Oversight of Mining Fuel Use to Boost Compliance and Revenue
DRC Mining Companies Must Comply with New Fuel Regulations as Government Launches Strict Inspections
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has issued a formal reminder to mining companies operating in the southeastern provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba to comply with new regulations governing fuel use in the sector.
The reminder, issued in a December 10, 2025 letter signed by Ministers of Hydrocarbons Acacia Bandubola Mbongo and Mines Louis Watum Kabamba, comes after repeated refusals by some mining operators to allow inspections by the Petroleum Product Marking Brigade.
These inspections are designed to verify that state-subsidized fuels intended for household consumption are not being diverted for industrial use at mining sites.
Under Article 22 of the 2025 Finance Law, fuels used in mining activities—including gasoline, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, lamp oil, and liquefied petroleum gas—are no longer eligible for public subsidies or exemptions from import duties and taxes, including customs duties and value-added tax.
Mining companies and their subcontractors are now required to source fuels under customs supervision and to use products marked with specific molecular identifiers. This marking ensures that subsidized fuels sold at service stations can be distinguished from fuels imported for industrial use.
Since the measure took effect in August, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise has raised concerns about attempts by certain mining operators to bypass the system. Unannounced inspections by the Petroleum Product Marking Brigade revealed that between September 7 and 12, several teams were denied access to fuel storage facilities at mining sites in Lualaba province.
In response, the ministers called for full cooperation from mining companies and emphasized that future inspections will be conducted jointly by the Molecular Marking Brigade and hydrocarbons authorities.
These inspections will focus on fuel storage capacities, monthly import and consumption volumes, availability of customs declarations, and the validity of authorizations for fuel importation, transport, and storage for self-consumption.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the National Economy, Daniel Mukoko Samba, highlighted the reform’s positive impact on public revenue. Fuel imports generated more than 63 billion Congolese francs (approximately $22 million) in August 2025, compared with just 4 billion francs (roughly $1.5 million) the previous month, representing more than a fifteen-fold increase.
The government emphasized that strict enforcement of the new regulations is essential to ensure fair use of state-subsidized fuels, prevent industrial diversion, and strengthen transparency in the mining sector.
SOURCE:bankable.africa
