DRC Govt Acts Against Illegal Gold Mining at Muhila Ranch
DR Congo Minister Warns of Illegal Gold Mining at Muhila Ranch and Threats to Lubumbashi Livestock Concession
In a report submitted to the Council on Friday, August 22, 2025, the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock raised alarms over illegal gold mining at the Ntoya site within the Muhila livestock ranch in Tanganyika province, as well as attempts to seize the concession of the Provincial Directorate of the National Livestock Development Service in Lubumbashi.
According to the report, “An unidentified mining group has been conducting illicit exploration and gold exploitation in the Ntoya/Dibingwa livestock section for several months.
This area lies at the heart of the extensive Muhila ranch in the territory of Moba (Tanganyika),” the minutes of the fifty-sixth ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Kinshasa noted.
The Minister warned that these illegal operations could severely hinder planned agropastoral revival programs.
“The environmental impact is significant, including degradation of natural pastures and pollution of waterways that serve as drinking water sources for staff, livestock, and irrigation,” the report said.
The National Livestock Development Service is tasked with promoting livestock farming across the Democratic Republic of Congo through the management of large-scale animal production units.
These include the Muhila ranch in Tanganyika, Mitwaba ranch in Haut-Katanga, Kayembe-Mukulu ranch in Lualaba, and Katenga ranch in Kwilu.
The report also highlighted threats to the Provincial Directorate of the National Livestock Development Service’s concession at No. 1091, Avenue Nguz-a-Karl-i-Bond in Lubumbashi.
The concession is reportedly under threat of dispossession by a third party, allegedly aided by certain associates of the Commercial Court of Lubumbashi.
The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock has proposed that the government intervene in both cases. Following these recommendations, the President of the Republic instructed the Minister to submit a detailed report within 15 days, in collaboration with the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, and Keeper of the Seals. The Council has officially taken note of the matter.
