Boss Mining Calls on DRC to End Illegal Mining After Deadly Landslide
Boss Mining Urges DRC Action on Illegal Mining Following Fatal Landslide at Copper Site
A unit of Eurasian Resources Group has called on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take action against illegal mining activities following a deadly landslide at one of the firm’s copper concessions.
The incident occurred on March 11, 2026, and “led to fatalities and injuries,” according to a statement issued Thursday by Boss Mining SAS, a copper producer in which ERG holds a 51% stake.
The company urged Congolese authorities to restore its “lawful access” to the affected areas.
Illegal Mining and Regional Risks
The southeastern region of the DRC is rich in minerals, making the country the world’s leading producer of cobalt essential for batteries and the second-largest producer of copper.
While industrial mining accounts for the majority of output, hundreds of thousands of artisanal miners operate informally, often extracting ore within licenses held by major companies.
Boss Mining stated that it has warned the Congolese government since 2022 about the dangers posed by illegal, semi-mechanized, and unauthorized mining activities on its concession.
The firm reported that its employees have been denied access to certain sites due to the presence of armed unauthorized individuals.
The company did not disclose the number of casualties or injuries resulting from the landslide.
ERG’s Presence in the DRC
Beyond Boss Mining, ERG holds additional assets in the DRC, including the Frontier copper mine and Metalkol, one of the world’s largest sources of cobalt. The state-owned company Gecamines owns 49% of Boss Mining.
Headquartered in Luxembourg, ERG is 40% owned by the government of Kazakhstan, where it also operates iron ore, ferrochrome, and aluminum production facilities.
The company emphasized that illegal mining not only threatens the safety of workers but also jeopardizes industrial operations and the stability of the region’s mining sector.
