Glencore Emphasizes Local Impact, ESG Standards and Sustainable Mining at DRC Mining Week 2026
DRC Mining Week 2026: Glencore Highlights 98% Local Workforce, ESG Compliance and Sustainable Mining Strategy in the DRC
At the 21st edition of DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Glencore’s leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlighted the company’s focus on human development, ethical mining practices, and long-term sustainability across its operations.
Speaking in her capacity as sponsor of the event, Marie-Chantal Kaninda, President of Glencore DRC and Chairperson of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), emphasized the group’s commitment to embedding its activities within local communities through skills development, employment, and responsible resource management.
Glencore operates in the DRC through its subsidiaries Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining (MUMI), two major copper and cobalt producers in the country’s southern mining region.
Strong local workforce and long-term community focus
Kaninda underscored the central role of Congolese workers in the company’s operations, noting that 98% of Glencore’s workforce in the DRC is made up of national employees, including significant representation in leadership roles.
She said this local integration reflects the company’s belief that the development of critical minerals must directly translate into socio-economic benefits for the country, particularly through skills transfer and local empowerment.
She also highlighted Glencore’s long-term approach to sustainability, which includes preparing communities for life beyond mining operations.
The company’s Enterprise Development Programs (EDPs) are designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship, support subcontractors, and promote economic independence in mining communities after mine closure.
According to Kaninda, sustainable success in the mining sector can only be achieved when operators invest in long-term community resilience and post-mining economic planning.
As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, Glencore also supports major national initiatives, including participation in the Inga hydropower development project, which is seen as a key pillar for the DRC’s future energy supply.
Compliance, traceability and global market standards
Kaninda also highlighted the company’s efforts to align its operations with international sustainability and compliance standards, which are increasingly required by global supply chains.
Both KCC and MUMI have achieved certification under the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) and full compliance with the Copper Mark standard following rigorous assessments covering 33 environmental, social, and governance criteria.
She noted that these certifications demonstrate Glencore’s commitment to transparency, traceability, and responsible production, which are now essential requirements for maintaining credibility in global metals markets.
“In today’s context, traceability and transparency are no longer optional. They are fundamental requirements for building trust across the entire supply chain,” she said.
Critical minerals and the energy transition
With global demand for copper and cobalt accelerating due to the energy transition, electric mobility, and technological innovation, Kaninda stressed that sustainability standards are becoming increasingly strategic.
She added that strong ESG performance is now a key factor in attracting international investment and ensuring that minerals produced in the DRC remain competitive in global markets.
Through its participation at DRC Mining Week 2026, Glencore reaffirmed its long-term commitment to responsible mining, local development, and alignment with global sustainability expectations in one of the world’s most important critical minerals regions.
