Regional conflict - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Renewed Clashes in Eastern DRC Heighten Tensions near Sake

May 9, 2024May 9, 2024 Constance

Fresh clashes erupted early Wednesday morning, May 8, 2024, on several hills surrounding the strategically important city of Sake in the Masisi territory, approximately twenty kilometers from Goma. The confrontations involved M23 rebels, backed by the Rwandan army (RDF), and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), supported by the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), also known as “Wazalendo.” Reports from local civil society sources indicate that the M23 rebels initiated the attack with the intention of seizing Sake but were ultimately repelled. Olivier Munguiko, a civil society representative… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

EU-Rwanda Deal Raises Concerns of Conflict Mineral Smuggling from DRC

May 8, 2024May 8, 2024 Constance

As the European Union seeks to secure a steady supply of essential minerals for the green revolution, particularly from Rwanda, concerns arise regarding the potential smuggling of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The EU’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rwanda, aimed at fostering sustainable and resilient value chains for critical raw materials, is seen as a positive step towards supporting clean technology initiatives. However, the reality is far more complex. Rwanda, a country that exports more minerals than it mines, has been implicated in the smuggling… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Coltan Regional conflict Tin

Opposition Leader Martin Fayulu Accuses Rwandan Army of Collusion with M23 in Rubaya

May 3, 2024May 3, 2024 Constance

Opposition figure Martin Fayulu has condemned the presence of the Rwandan army alongside M23 militants in the mining town of Rubaya, located in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province. Fayulu, expressing his criticism via his X account, accused the Rwandan M23 army of controlling Rubaya, suggesting Rwanda’s increased access to Congolese coltan. Amidst this, Fayulu highlighted the plight of Congolese citizens affected by floods in Kalemie and Uvira, denouncing the government’s apparent lack of assistance and expenditure on unnecessary trips. Rubaya, known for its rich mineral resources including coltan,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Coltan Regional conflict Tin

M23 Rebels Seize Control of Coltan Mining Town in Eastern DRC

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024 Constance

M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have captured Rubaya, a vital mining town known for its coltan reserves, following days of intense conflict, according to a rebel spokesperson. Eastern Congo has endured violence since the 1990s, fueled by struggles over identity, ethnicity, and resources, resulting in millions of deaths and the emergence of numerous armed groups. Willy Ngoma, the spokesperson for the Tutsi-led M23 militia, stated that they had taken control of Rubaya in North Kivu province after confronting other armed factions, including the Forces for the… Read More Here

Regional conflict

AVZ International Prevails in ICC Case Against Jin Cheng Mining

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 Constance

AVZ International (AVZI) has emerged victorious in a case brought against it in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) by Jin Cheng Mining Limited (Jin Cheng). The ICC Tribunal ruled in favor of AVZI, determining that the status of a shareholder of Dathcom is established by its registration in Dathcom’s internal share register. Consequently, the ICC Tribunal concluded that it lacked jurisdiction to preside over the proceedings initiated by Jin Cheng. Furthermore, the Tribunal deemed Jin Cheng’s recourse to arbitration as unwarranted and ordered Jin Cheng to reimburse AVZI USD… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Gold Regional conflict

Citizens Rally at US Embassy in DRC Demanding Action on Primera Gold in Anti-Smuggling Fight

October 20, 2023October 20, 2023 Constance

Citizen movements organized a sit-in this Friday, August 20, 2023, in front of the United States Embassy in Kinshasa to express their concerns about the positions of the American state through their press release of October 12. According to these citizen associations, the positions of the United States “verge on a strong observed inconsistency”. In their memorandum read by Mr. Jeriel Kasia, these citizen associations draw the attention of the United States of America to three areas: the area of security, the socio-economic area and finally the consolidation of democracy.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Gold Regional conflict

DRC: Ongoing Debate Over Government Grants to Primera Sparks Controversy

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Constance

The discussion surrounding the substantial benefits accorded by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to “Primera,” a United Arab Emirates-based company, remains unresolved, with a written inquiry from National Deputy Alfred Maisha rekindling the conversation nearly a year later. While Alfred Maisha, a representative from Bukavu Ville in South Kivu, asserts that the DRC is losing ground in this matter, the government’s perspective diverges. They view this initiative as a promising alternative to the systemic exploitation of raw materials in the eastern part of the DRC. André Wameso, Deputy Chief… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

DRC: Gertler’s Legal Action Continues Against Mputu and Resource Matters

July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 Constance

Despite his public announcements, Mr. Dan Gertler has not withdrawn from his legal action against the spokesperson and a member organization of the Congo coalition is not for sale. In addition, his company Ventora is dragging out preparations for a possible dialogue that Mr. Gertler has requested and says he wants to hold with the coalition. Pending concrete actions from Mr. Gertler and his team, the coalition continues to demand the restitution without compensation of all the assets ill-gotten by the businessman, including royalties from Kamoto Copper Company, Mutanda Mining… Read More Here

International Regional conflict

Violence in the African Sahel affects the mining food chain

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga NewsMali

The violence in the African Sahel has caused mine exploration companies to put their projects on hold, which is detrimental to an industry struggling to grow and to fragile local economies. At least 37 people died while 60 others were wounded last November when militants attacked a convoy of Semafo Inc employees, the deadliest attack to date on a mining company in the region. Islamist groups pushed south from their strongholds in northern Mali and attacked much of Burkina Faso and also parts of western Niger. As security costs… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

Militia raids kill dozens as DRC plunges deeper into instability

February 4, 2020February 5, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Deadly attacks come as tensions grow between the president and supporters of his predecessor. Medics at Oicha hospital in eastern DRC treat a man’s head injuries after an attack by unknown assailants in his village. A militia group has launched a series of bloody attacks in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, plunging the country further into instability after months of violence and political tension. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an extremist group, carried out a series of raids on four villages to the west of Beni… Read More Here