DRC’s SAEMAPE Urges Mining Reforms and Cooperative Support After Major Copper Discovery in Greater Kasai
SAEMAPE Calls for Formalisation of Artisanal Mining Following Major Copper Discovery in Greater Kasai
The Director General of the Service for Assistance and Support of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (SAEMAPE), Jean-Paul Kapongo Kadiobo, has called for the formalisation of artisanal mining following the discovery of a significant high-grade copper deposit in Katende, Kasai-Oriental Province.
Kapongo urged provincial authorities to replicate the one-stop shop model used in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga to simplify administrative procedures, strengthen oversight and support the formation of mining cooperatives.
He noted that the Mining Code no longer allows artisanal miners to operate individually, making formalisation essential for legal compliance and improved traceability.
According to Kapongo, the copper deposit was first identified by artisanal miners working in the Miabi area before government agencies conducted further assessments.
During a visit to the site, officials found an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 artisanal miners already active, highlighting the need to integrate them into the project’s development under a regulated framework.
He also said the mineral potential extends beyond Kasai-Oriental into the wider Greater Kasai region, including Sankuru, Lomami, Kasai-Central and Tshikapa, suggesting that further exploration could uncover additional mineral resources.
The SAEMAPE chief acknowledged that Kasai-Oriental lacks copper processing facilities and called for investment in mining infrastructure to support the province’s transition from a diamond-producing region to an emerging copper producer.
The Katende deposit is located within a concession owned by MIBA, which has partnered with MICKA for its industrial development.
Kapongo said artisanal miners, who played a key role in discovering the resource, should also benefit from the project through organised cooperatives and formal participation.
He added that learning from the mining governance models of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga will help ensure the new copper project delivers sustainable economic benefits for local communities while strengthening transparency and responsible mining practices.
