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Category: Artisanal mining

DRC Commits to Reducing Child Labor in Artisanal Mines 1 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

DRC Commits to Reducing Child Labor in Artisanal Mines

Constance
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
DRC's Minister of Mines Commits to Eradicating Child Labor in Cobalt Mining 2 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt 

DRC’s Minister of Mines Commits to Eradicating Child Labor in Cobalt Mining

Constance
In a press release dated October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed its “astonishment” at the inclusion of Congolese cobalt on the list of products potentially associated with child labor, as reported by the United States Department of Labor. This statement follows a previous reaction from the government through the Ministry of Communication and Media. The ministry pointed out that while this decision highlights ongoing challenges in certain regions related to artisanal cobalt mining—representing only 5% of the country’s national production—it fails to… Read More Here
Minister Kabuswe Calls for Urgent Action Against Illegal Mining in Zambia 3 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Events & Expos 

Minister Kabuswe Calls for Urgent Action Against Illegal Mining in Zambia

Constance
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has emphasized the need for an urgent investigation into the persistent illegal mining activities in Zambia, despite government efforts to curb the issue. Kabuswe noted that, although security officers have been deployed to protect mining sites, illegal activities continue. He stressed that the government will intensify efforts to implement stricter measures to combat illegal mining, while encouraging the formalization of small-scale miners to ensure safer mining practices. The Minister made these remarks during his closing address at the 2024 Mining and Investment Insaka… Read More Here
President Hichilema Condemns Illegal Mining, Calls for Investor Partnerships 4 Mining in Zambia Artisanal mining Events & Expos 

President Hichilema Condemns Illegal Mining, Calls for Investor Partnerships

Constance
President Hakainde Hichilema has declared the loss of miners due to illegal mining activities as unacceptable, stressing that such practices must not continue. Speaking at the Mining Insaka, President Hichilema called on investors to collaborate with small-scale miners by purchasing their minerals as a strategy to curb illegal mining. He emphasized the importance of large mining companies creating opportunities for small-scale miners to ensure fair participation in the sector. The President noted that the government has issued over 500 small-scale mining licenses to promote legal mining activities among citizens. He… Read More Here
Ghanaians Protest Against Illegal Mining, Call for Government Action 5 International Artisanal mining Gold 

Ghanaians Protest Against Illegal Mining, Call for Government Action

Constance
Hundreds of Ghanaians took to the streets for a second consecutive day, urging the government to crack down on illegal mining in the country, which is Africa’s top gold producer. Protesters carried placards demanding action to stop illegal mining, which they blame for polluting rivers and degrading soil across Ghana. A final day of demonstrations is planned for Saturday, according to a Bloomberg report. “This is not just a crisis; it’s a fight for the soul of our nation,” said Brownson Adatsi, lead convener of the Free The Citizens Movement,… Read More Here
Justicia Asbl Calls for Legal Action Against Illegal Mining by Foreign Nationals in DRC 6 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Justicia Asbl Calls for Legal Action Against Illegal Mining by Foreign Nationals in DRC

Constance
In Haut-Katanga province, the human rights organization Justicia Asbl has urged legal action against immigrants, particularly Chinese and Lebanese nationals, involved in illegal mineral exploitation in Kambove, southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This appeal was made in a press release issued in Kinshasa on Saturday. Justicia Asbl praised provincial Minister of Mines and Environment, Lucien Lumano, for ordering a halt to industrial mining activities on an artisanal site and for arresting illegal immigrants involved in the operation. The organization encouraged authorities to take legal measures to shut down illegal… Read More Here
Seven Miners Die in Mungwalu Gold Mine Tragedy Amid Heavy Rain 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 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

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