Category: Artisanal mining

Civil society in Ituri province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has condemned the large-scale illegal exploitation of minerals by Chinese companies operating in Mambasa territory. In an interview on Monday, February 3, 2025, Dieudonné Lossa Dhekana, a civil society coordinator, criticized the illicit activities and highlighted the violation of Congolese mining laws. According to Dhekana, these Chinese firms exploit minerals through cooperatives—an approach that contradicts Congolese law, which prohibits foreign entities from operating through such structures. He expressed concern over the scale of the exploitation and the lack of… Read More Here

The Minister of Mines recently met with a delegation led by Mr. Davide Marcheselli, an Italian priest based in Kitutu, South Kivu. The delegation, representing the Association for the Defense of Victims of Mining Expropriations (ADVEM), highlighted the challenges faced by local communities due to illicit and illegal mining, particularly gold extraction. Mr. Marcheselli, along with members of civil society and the Catholic and Protestant Churches of Congo, emphasized the severity of the situation in the Mwenga territory. He noted that many companies operating in the region are not legally… Read More Here

During a mission to Kisangani, Crispin Mbindule, President of the Board of Directors of the Mining Registry (CAMI), confirmed the illegal exploitation of mining resources in Mangi, Tshopo Province. After verifying reports, Mbindule acknowledged the claims made by civil society. “Indeed, the allegations of illegal mining activities in Mangi are true. We found that several companies are operating without valid permits,” he stated. On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Mbindule met with the president of the civil society in Banalia Territory and the provincial Mining Cadastre directorate to address issues related… Read More Here

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