Category: Artisanal mining

A tragic landslide at an artisanal mine in the Bondo territory of Bas-Uele province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claimed the lives of six people on the night of January 11 to 12. The incident was reported by the provincial Minister of Mines, Modeste Midikilo, to local press over the weekend. The landslide occurred at the Don de Dieu/Ngbede mining site. Minister Midikilo confirmed that investigations would be launched into the incident. To prevent future tragedies, Minister Midikilo urged artisanal miners to adhere to safety standards and emphasized the need… Read More Here

The Tshopo provincial government has initiated decisive measures to address illegal mining operations, which have been rampant in the region for years. A total of 142 mining companies are reportedly operating without proper authorization, leading to significant revenue losses for the province. In a press release dated January 6, 2025, the government instructed all managers of mining and exploitation companies to register with the provincial Ministry of Mines by January 20, 2025. Companies failing to comply will face legal sanctions. Provincial Minister of Mines, Thomas Mesemo wa Mesemo, expressed frustration… Read More Here

After two weeks of illegal occupation, the Nioka mining site was finally liberated on Thursday, December 19, 2024, following the deployment of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). The operation’s success was confirmed by multiple media outlets in Lualaba. While police intervention led to violent clashes, sources report that the artisanal miners voluntarily vacated the site after demolishing the walls of the fence. The FARDC had been stationed in the area on orders from the provincial authorities to prevent further incursions, according to Maître Christian Kakele,… Read More Here

Fifi Masuka, Governor of Lualaba province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), clarified the scale of artisanal mining operations in the region during a presentation of her first 100 days in office on Friday. She corrected the misconception that 5,000 artisanal miners were operating in the province, stating the actual number is closer to 450,000. “Sometimes, we manage them with patience and prayer,” Masuka remarked, acknowledging the potential dangers of large crowds of miners. “We’re fortunate they remain in the mines, where cooperatives organize them. However, the situation could… Read More Here

South Kivu, a province rich in tin, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, rare earths, and gold deposits in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), faces persistent security challenges that deter large industry investors from entering the area. Instead, mining is largely conducted by cooperatives and foreign firms, especially those with Chinese capital. Many operate with impunity, often in violation of DRC’s mining regulations, and with the alleged support of powerful figures. A prominent example is Tong Li Resources, a Chinese company involved in gold mining in South Kivu and neighboring Maniema Province.… Read More Here

DRC Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing child labor in artisanal mines. Speaking during a press conference in Kinshasa, he highlighted collaborative efforts with international organizations and ministries such as the Interior and Defense to rescue children from dangerous mining environments and reintegrate them into age-appropriate activities. “The locations where these children work are well identified. We are working with ministerial commissions and international organizations to relocate them and remove them from the mines,” the minister stated. Pakabomba also addressed recent reports by UNICEF during… Read More Here