Cited in the Vidiye Tshimanga case in the DRC, Ivanhoe Mines invited to enlighten the public on its links with its partners
The Canadian mining company whose activity is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo around production from the copper mine in joint venture of Kamoa-Kakula and the historical mine of zinc-copper-germanium-silver of Kipushi, Ivanhoe mines is quoted in a case of corruption and influence peddling. In a widely shared video revealing the direct involvement of a close associate of the Congolese president in the granting of mining permits, Ivanhoe mines is cited as a partner of COBAMIN, a mining company owned by Vidiye Tshimanga.
“With Ivanhoe, they have 80%, I have 20 (…). My 20% is split in half, so you have 10%, that’s COBAMIN – my company. The other 10%, because in the mining law, you have the obligation to have a Congolese person in the company… This Congolese person is someone we have chosen.” Vidiye Tshimanga said in this video.
In a press release, the “Congo is not for sale” (CNVP) coalition, while calling on international institutions and countries that are friends of the Congolese State to sanction any person involved in bad practices, recommends Ivanhoe Mines to fix the opinion on the nature of its links with its partners.
“To the company Ivanhoe Mines, to enlighten the Congolese public opinion and the shareholders of Ivanhoe mines on any possible contractual relationship with Mr. Tshimanga, Cobamines, and any other company linked to the people publicly exposed. To initiate legal proceedings against the latter if the company considers that it has been wrongly quoted,” insisted the CNPV.
To the international community, the CNPV is keen on the international sanctions of any Congolese personality involved in bad practices.
“To international institutions and countries friendly to the DRC, to draw up sanctions against any Congolese personality involved in bad practices (corruption, influence peddling, embezzlement, etc.) which keep the Congolese people in indescribable misery,” the statement said.
However, the CNPV also asks the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (ITIE-RDC) to “ensure that the publication of the list of subcontractor companies is effective and exhaustive by the publication of the next report. EITI-DRC”.
This human rights defense platform calls on Congolese to be vigilant in denouncing this kind of abuse. “Remain vigilant and mobilized to denounce all these bad practices and their authors, who enrich themselves exponentially by sacrificing our hopes and those of future generations”.
