Mining in DRC - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

French Prosecutors Dismiss DRC’s Conflict Minerals Case Against Apple 1

French prosecutors have closed a case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Apple subsidiaries, which accused the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, according to a document seen by Reuters on Thursday. The DRC filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium in December, alleging that the company sourced tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T minerals) from conflict zones in Congo and Rwanda. At the time, Apple strongly denied the accusations, stating that its suppliers were explicitly prohibited from using minerals sourced… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Journalists Trained on Mining Taxation to Enhance Transparency

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

Journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo have gained valuable insights into mining taxation, equipping them to advocate for transparent management in the sector. This training, organized by the Oisillons Groupe Association with support from the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) under the DISMII project (Maximizing Revenues from the Mining Sector), aims to strengthen journalists’ ability to monitor and influence the mining sector’s revenue management. According to the association’s coordinator, the training’s goal is to empower journalists to play a more significant role in overseeing mining revenues and ensuring transparency. Expert… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Diamond

SACIM Struggles with Diamond Sales Restrictions and Financial Challenges in Kasai-Oriental

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

The Anhui Congo Investment Company (SACIM) in Kasai-Oriental continues to face significant challenges, raising concerns across the region. On February 26, 2025, a SACIM manager revealed to Actualité.cd that the company, which typically produces an average of 300,000 carats of diamonds per month, is encountering difficulties in selling its diamonds due to newly imposed price restrictions. Under the terms of Ministerial Decree No. 00049/CAB.MIN/MINES/01/2022, dated February 22, 2022, SACIM is restricted to selling its diamonds to only four buyers, under the oversight of the Center for Expertise and Certification (CEEC).… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity

DRC’s SNEL Utility Faces $3 Billion Debt Crisis as Restructuring Plan Takes Shape

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) state-owned power utility, is burdened with a debt exceeding $3 billion—more than three times its 2022 sales, according to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) recent Compact Énergétique National report. The debt is comprised of financial obligations (over 75%), commercial debt (13%), tax liabilities (11%), and social debt (0.3%). Financial debt alone surpasses $2 billion, stemming primarily from mining contracts (42%) and loans from multilateral investment banks (58%). In response, the Congolese government is committed to restructuring SNEL’s commercial and financial… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

DRC President Proposes Mineral Deal for Peace with US and Europe

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

In a bold diplomatic move, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly proposed granting the United States and Europe access to the country’s vast mineral resources, contingent upon their intervention to end the ongoing conflict devastating the nation. On Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Tina Salama urged the US to “directly purchase critical minerals” from the DRC rather than sourcing “looted” and “smuggled” resources through Rwanda. She extended the same request to Europe and other buyers, emphasizing that the DRC is the “rightful owner” of these valuable… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity Hydro power plant

Kasaï-Central’s Mbombo Hydropower Station Construction Begins

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

The highly anticipated Mbombo hydropower station project has officially begun. Construction was launched on February 15, 2025, by Joseph Moïse Kambulu Nkonko, governor of Kasaï-Central province, where the station will be located. The plant, situated on the Lulua River about 9.3 miles (15 km) from downtown Kananga, will have an installed capacity of 10 MW. This project is expected to bring electricity to more people in the region. However, the number of direct and indirect jobs it will create, as well as the total number of beneficiaries, has yet to… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance Regional conflict

EU Reassesses MoU with Rwanda Amid Growing DRC Conflict

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 Constance

On February 24, 2025, the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council announced a review of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda, originally signed in February 2024. This decision, made public by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, is part of broader EU efforts to press Rwanda to respect the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission, stated, “Consultations on defense issues with Rwanda have been suspended. There is also a political decision to apply sanctions, depending on developments on the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC Weighs Cobalt Export Quotas to Stabilize Prices

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is considering introducing cobalt export quotas in an effort to curb oversupply and support prices. As the world’s largest supplier of cobalt, the country is seeking to counter historically low prices caused by sluggish demand from automakers and increased copper production, which yields cobalt as a by-product. The Congolese government has discussed implementing export limits, though no final decision has been made. Earlier this week, authorities imposed a four-month export ban to address the supply glut. The ban, announced by the Authority for the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Economy

Congo’s Cobalt Export Ban Boosts Chinese Stocks Amid Supply Concerns

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

Cobalt stocks surged in China on Tuesday following an unexpected export ban in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), improving the short-term outlook for the key material used in alloys and batteries. Shares of Nanjing Hanrui Cobalt Co. soared by as much as 17% in Shenzhen, while Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. gained 7.8%. In contrast, CMOC Group Ltd., which has been expanding operations at its two massive mines in the DRC, slipped 2% in Hong Kong. The DRC, the world’s leading cobalt producer, announced a four-month suspension of cobalt exports… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

DRC Prime Minister Advocates for Sanctions Against Rwanda at UN Human Rights Council

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

On Monday, February 24, 2025, Prime Minister and Head of Government, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, addressed the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Prime Minister Suminwa led a Congolese delegation that included the Minister of Human Rights, Chantal Chambu Mwavita, the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grâce Yamba Kazadi. During her speech, Prime Minister Suminwa expressed gratitude for the swift processing of the DRC Government’s request last… Read More Here