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Category: Artisanal mining

Artisanal Miner Dies in Walikale Landslide as Authorities Launch Investigation 1 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Mining safety 

Artisanal Miner Dies in Walikale Landslide as Authorities Launch Investigation

Constance
An artisanal miner lost his life on the evening of Tuesday, June 24, following a landslide in the Ifarifari mining area, located in the Banabangi group of Walikale Territory, North Kivu province. The victim was working in a gold pit when the collapse occurred, burying him under debris. According to local mining authorities, the landslide struck without warning, trapping the miner beneath the rubble. The exact circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear and are under investigation. The following morning, a joint team comprising mining police and military prosecutors arrived… Read More Here
DRC Govt Moves to Curb Illegal Artisanal Mining at Key Glencore Sites 2 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

DRC Govt Moves to Curb Illegal Artisanal Mining at Key Glencore Sites

Constance
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a series of measures aimed at halting the persistent infiltration of artisanal miners into industrial mining concessions, particularly at the Kamoto-Oléivera-Virgule (KOV) and Mashamba sites operated by Kamoto Copper Company (KCC). During a visit to KCC’s facilities in Kolwezi on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa addressed the growing security concerns. “This issue was discussed at the provincial security council chaired by the head of state. Measures are being developed, and we are considering alternative solutions for… Read More Here
President Tshisekedi Launches Major Reform of Artisanal Cobalt Mining in Lualaba 3 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt 

President Tshisekedi Launches Major Reform of Artisanal Cobalt Mining in Lualaba

Constance
President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has announced a bold reform initiative targeting the artisanal cobalt mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a strong focus on Lualaba Province. The move signals a major shift in the government’s approach to one of the country’s most vital yet disorganized industries. The announcement was made during the Council of Ministers held on June 13, 2025, in Kolwezi. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya relayed the President’s concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to address the severe challenges faced by Congolese citizens working in artisanal mining.… Read More Here
DRC Urged to Formalize and Protect Artisanal Mining as Sector Faces Growing Challenges 4 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

DRC Urged to Formalize and Protect Artisanal Mining as Sector Faces Growing Challenges

Constance
The management of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) took center stage during the 2025 edition of DRC Mining Week, held from June 11 to 14 at the Karavia Hotel in Lubumbashi. Key industry stakeholders, including government officials and mining operators, discussed pressing issues facing the ASM sector, which remains a vital source of livelihood for many Congolese citizens. Jean-Paul Kapongo Kadiobo, Director General of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Assistance and Support Service (SAEMAPE), revealed that his agency had identified at least 1,409 mining cooperatives operating across the Democratic Republic… Read More Here
Armed Presence Disrupts Artisanal Mining in Walikale 5 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Regional conflict 

Armed Presence Disrupts Artisanal Mining in Walikale

Constance
Artisanal mining operations in Walikale territory, North Kivu, are facing serious disruptions due to the involvement of soldiers and members of the Wazalendo militia, despite clear prohibitions under the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining code. Civil society groups and traditional chiefs have raised concerns over the growing presence of armed actors at mining sites, particularly in the Utunda group of the Wanianga sector. These groups report that soldiers and militias are not just providing protection—they are actively participating in the artisanal extraction of gold and cassiterite by digging wells and… Read More Here
Artisanal Cobalt Mining in the DRC Shrinks to Record Low Amid Industrial Surge and Price Pressures 6 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Battery Metals Cobalt 

Artisanal Cobalt Mining in the DRC Shrinks to Record Low Amid Industrial Surge and Price Pressures

Constance
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), artisanal cobalt mining—a sector that has historically contributed between 10% and 30% of national output—is facing a sharp decline. According to the Cobalt Institute’s annual report released on May 14, 2025, artisanal mining accounted for just 2% of the country’s cobalt production in 2024. This marks a historically low level of contribution from small-scale miners, sharply contrasting with previous years. “In 2018, when cobalt prices peaked above USD 40 per pound, artisanal miners represented around 10% of the DRC’s output,” the report states.… Read More Here
FEC Challenges DGDA Crackdown on Artisanal Cobalt Exports in Lualaba 7 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt 

FEC Challenges DGDA Crackdown on Artisanal Cobalt Exports in Lualaba

Constance
In Lualaba province, the Business Federation of Congo (Fédération des Entreprises du Congo — FEC) is contesting recent enforcement actions by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), calling them “irregular” and potentially harmful to the province’s investment climate. In a letter dated May 5, 2025, addressed to DGDA Director General Bernard Kabese Musangu, FEC’s provincial president, Germain Pungwe Mabwe, criticized the DGDA’s decision to open proceedings against member companies involved in the processing and export of cobalt sourced from artisanal mining. These companies have received official statements of… Read More Here
Deadly Rockfalls Highlight Dangers in DRC’s Artisanal Mining Sector 8 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Deadly Rockfalls Highlight Dangers in DRC’s Artisanal Mining Sector

Constance
Rockfalls at artisanal mining sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are becoming increasingly frequent, particularly in the conflict-affected eastern provinces. The latest tragedy occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2025, when seven artisanal gold miners—all from the same family—were killed in a collapse at the G7 mining site in Mapale village, Lugushwa, Mwenga territory. The incident prompted immediate concern from local civil society, which urged the Assistance and Support Service for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (SAEMAPE) to strengthen its oversight efforts on the ground. Speaking to Deskeco on Tuesday,… Read More Here
DRC Gold Exports Reach $1.5 Billion in 2024 Despite Decline in Artisanal Mining 9 Gold Artisanal mining Economy Mining in DRC 

DRC Gold Exports Reach $1.5 Billion in 2024 Despite Decline in Artisanal Mining

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exported a total of 27.9 tonnes of gold in 2024, generating approximately $1.5 billion in revenue, according to the annual report from the Technical Unit for Coordination and Mining Planning of the Ministry of Mines. Kibali Gold was the leading contributor, accounting for more than 26 tonnes of gold worth over $1.3 billion. In contrast, MCCR exported only 102.92 kg, generating an estimated $7.6 million in revenue, while Kimia Mining exported 5.72 kg, yielding $496,589. Kibali Gold remains the dominant force in the DRC’s… Read More Here
Mali Bans Small-Scale Gold Mining Permits for Foreigners Amid Safety Concerns 10 Gold Artisanal mining Mining safety 

Mali Bans Small-Scale Gold Mining Permits for Foreigners Amid Safety Concerns

Constance
Mali has halted the issuance of small-scale gold mining permits to foreign nationals following a series of fatal mining accidents. Interim President Assimi Goïta has directed the government to implement stricter measures to prevent human and environmental disasters, Minister of Security and Civil Protection General Daoud Aly Mohamedinne announced on Wednesday. The new measures include: The crackdown follows a tragic mine collapse in western Mali last month, which claimed the lives of at least 49 people, many of them women. The accident occurred in an open-pit site where individuals were… Read More Here

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