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Category: Artisanal mining

Seven Miners Die in Mungwalu Gold Mine Tragedy Amid Heavy Rain 1 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Gold 

Seven Miners Die in Mungwalu Gold Mine Tragedy Amid Heavy Rain

Constance
On Thursday, September 12, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in the mining region of Mungwalu, Djugu Territory, about 85 kilometers north of Bunia in Ituri, where seven artisanal gold miners lost their lives after heavy rainfall flooded the “Makala” gold mine. According to local civil society reports shared with Radio Okapi, torrential rain caused water to flow from surrounding hills, flooding the mine and trapping the workers inside, unable to escape. This tragedy highlights the unsafe working conditions faced by artisanal miners in the region. Without proper safety measures, miners… Read More Here
Over 45 Arrested in South Kivu for Mining Fraud and Illicit Activities 2 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Over 45 Arrested in South Kivu for Mining Fraud and Illicit Activities

Constance
More than 45 individuals involved in fraud and illegal mineral exploitation in South Kivu have been arrested and detained at the central prison in Bukavu. Among those arrested are two magistrates. Governor Jacques Purusi made this announcement during a meeting at Concorde Stadium on Sunday, September 8. Governor Purusi condemned the “disorder” in the South Kivu mining sector and pledged to address it. “We initially believed there were only about a hundred entities illegally mining minerals in South Kivu. However, we discovered numerous illegal activities, including the use of acids… Read More Here
Zambia's Mines Minister Warns Mining Licence Holders Against Illegal Mining 3 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Copper 

Zambia’s Mines Minister Warns Mining Licence Holders Against Illegal Mining

Constance
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has emphasized that the responsibility to curb illegal mining lies with licence holders, not the government. He warned that licence holders allowing illegal activities on their tenements risk losing their licences. In a media briefing last week, Kabuswe clarified that according to the Mines and Minerals Act, it is the duty of licence holders to ensure security on their tenements. He specifically addressed concerns about illegal mining at Sensele Mine, stating that the government does not own the mine, and the responsibility for… Read More Here
Tragedy Strikes Illegal Gold Mining Operation in Shiwang'andu 4 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Gold Mine Safety News in Brief 

Tragedy Strikes Illegal Gold Mining Operation in Shiwang’andu

Constance
A tragic incident occurred in Shiwang’andu, Muchinga Province, where an unidentified man lost his life and another was injured during illegal gold mining activities. The accident took place on Friday around 16:00 at the Chipindo gold mine in Chief Mukwikile’s chiefdom. The survivor, 23-year-old Felix Mulenga from Mpika district, was rescued by fellow miners and rushed to Mpika Urban Clinic. Unfortunately, the deceased was pronounced dead upon arrival, while Mulenga suffered bruises to his neck, lips, and eyelids and is currently receiving treatment. Police commanding officer Paul Achinme confirmed that… Read More Here
Civil Society Calls for Transparency on Child Labor Statistics in DRC Mining 5 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt Copper 

Civil Society Calls for Transparency on Child Labor Statistics in DRC Mining

Constance
During the 19th edition of DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Grant Leaity, UNICEF’s representative in the DRC, alarmed attendees with statistics suggesting that around 361,000 children are engaged in copper and cobalt mining in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces. This revelation has prompted Congolese civil society to raise concerns and demand further verification and transparency regarding these figures. In response to UNICEF’s statement, Congolese civil society has expressed reservations about the reported numbers of child laborers in mining sites. They emphasize the need for additional information and rigorous verification of these… Read More Here
Major Reduction in Child Labor Achieved in North Kivu Mining Sites 6 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Major Reduction in Child Labor Achieved in North Kivu Mining Sites

Constance
Civil society in Lubero territory, North Kivu province, has expressed satisfaction with the significant reduction in the number of children working in mining sites. Mbule Mandatex, a representative of this civic group, reported that numerous mining operators have been made aware of the strict ban on child labor in mining activities. “We have benefited from the popularization of the mining code, which formally prohibits the presence of children in mining sites. All cooperatives and mining managers are now aware of this, resulting in the rarity of children and pregnant women… Read More Here
Senior Chief Shakumbila Urges Govt Action on Illegal Gold Mining in Mumbwa 7 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Gold 

Senior Chief Shakumbila Urges Govt Action on Illegal Gold Mining in Mumbwa

Constance
Senior Chief Shakumbila of the Sala-ila people in Shibuyunji and Mumbwa districts has revealed that approximately 22 kilograms of illegally mined gold are flown out of the district each month. Speaking during a courtesy call from Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe at his palace, the traditional leader lamented the widespread illegal mining activities in the district. “Every month, around 22 kilograms of gold are taken out of our district and sold to private buyers at exorbitant prices, with minimal benefits for our communities,” he stated. The government… Read More Here
Zambia Plans to Create Billionaires from Mining While Enforcing Investor Accountability 8 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Economy 

Zambia Plans to Create Billionaires from Mining While Enforcing Investor Accountability

Constance
Mines and Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has announced the Zambian government’s ambitious plan to transform the mining industry by creating billionaires and empowering local miners. Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka, Kabuswe highlighted the administration’s commitment to supporting Zambian miners and enforcing strict regulations to ensure investor accountability. Kabuswe asserted that under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, the government would not tolerate any investor misconduct. “We want to support all Zambians. We want many small-scale Zambians to engage in mining. Our message to artisanal and… Read More Here
Mayor of Mbuji-Mayi Cracks Down on Illegal Diamond Mining in Residential Areas 9 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Diamond 

Mayor of Mbuji-Mayi Cracks Down on Illegal Diamond Mining in Residential Areas

Constance
In Mbuji-Mayi, the capital of the Kasaï-Orientale province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an old practice has resurfaced: artisanal miners are digging for diamonds in residential plots. The consequences of such mining have prompted the town’s mayor to issue a stern warning to those involved. After conducting a raid, Jean-Marie Lutumba, Mayor of Mbuji-Mayi, condemned the illicit exploitation, which is reportedly occurring with the complicity of certain members of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) and the police. “I have invited the head of the hydro mine… Read More Here
Rwanda Considers Stricter Penalties to Combat Illegal Mining Under New Bill 10 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Rwanda Considers Stricter Penalties to Combat Illegal Mining Under New Bill

Constance
Rwanda is once again contemplating stringent measures to curb illegal mining and mineral trade offenses with the introduction of the new Mining and Quarrying Operations Bill. This move follows increased pressure from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the international community, which have accused Rwanda of facilitating the laundering of minerals stolen from the DRC and fueling conflict in Eastern Congo to exploit these resources illicitly. Judith Uwizeye, Minister to the President of the Republic, highlighted the need to amend the existing 2018 law to impose harsher penalties that… Read More Here

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