DRC Reaffirms Strategic Mining Vision at the 5th Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh
DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba Highlights Mining Reforms and Global Supply Chain Strategy at Future Minerals Forum 2026
His Excellency Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took part on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Riyadh, in the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), a major global platform for strategic dialogue dedicated to shaping the future of the mining sector.
The opening ceremony was chaired by His Excellency Bandar Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.
In his address, Minister Al-Khorayef reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish itself as a global hub for the mining industry, driven by an approach focused on concrete, measurable, and results-oriented outcomes.
He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and sustainability in responding to the growing global demand for critical minerals.
Following the opening session, the Minister of Mines of the DRC participated in a high-level panel discussion devoted to international collaboration on the sourcing of minerals for global development.
This strategic exchange brought together senior representatives from the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United States, the World Bank Group, and leading stakeholders from the international mining sector.
The panel underscored the central role of mineral resources in supporting economic growth, technological advancement, and the global energy transition.
In his intervention, H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba highlighted that securing mineral supply chains can no longer be viewed solely through a geological lens.
He stressed that today’s challenges require an integrated approach that also accounts for geopolitical realities, infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and legal certainty.
According to the Minister, these dimensions are now inseparable from any credible strategy aimed at ensuring resilient and responsible mineral supply chains.
The Minister further reaffirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s ambition to move beyond the traditional “Pit-to-Port” model. He outlined the country’s vision of building a modern, transparent, and competitive mining ecosystem, firmly oriented toward local value addition and industrial transformation.
This approach, he noted, is designed to maximize the developmental impact of the DRC’s vast mineral wealth while aligning with international standards of governance and sustainability.
Concluding his remarks, H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba extended a clear invitation to international investors and partners to engage with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He encouraged them to assess firsthand the scope and depth of the structural reforms currently underway, aimed at guaranteeing a stable, predictable, and sustainable business environment.
These reforms, he emphasized, are intended not only to support national development but also to position the DRC as a reliable and strategic partner in the global energy transition.
Through its active participation in the Future Minerals Forum, the Democratic Republic of Congo reaffirmed its commitment to international dialogue, responsible mining, and long-term partnerships that contribute to shared global prosperity.
