DRC Grants SACIM Three-Month Sales Moratorium Amid Financial Crisis in Kasai
Anhui Congo Mining Investment Company (SACIM), a diamond producer based in Kasai Oriental, has been granted a three-month moratorium allowing it to freely sell its production.
The temporary measure is intended to help the company recover from prolonged financial hardship, including unpaid wages and heavy tax obligations.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 20, in Tshibwe (Miabi territory) by Aristote Mutombo, the presidential envoy for Greater Kasai.
He conveyed President Félix Tshisekedi’s decision to repeal Ministerial Order No. 00049/CAB.MIN/MINES/01/2022, issued by former Mines Minister Antoinette Samba Kalambay.
The regulation had mandated that mineral sales be conducted strictly through the CEEC (Center for Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification) tender process—an approach SACIM argued was too restrictive.
The suspension of this requirement has brought a sense of relief to SACIM’s workforce, who have gone up to 14 months without pay. The company’s operations have stalled due to limited equipment and mounting tax arrears.
“We produce about 300,000 carats every 45 days—well below our capacity,” a company executive revealed anonymously. “Even with this sales freedom, we may only be able to cover one month’s salary.”
The government has made it clear that the three-month grace period comes with expectations. SACIM must show significant financial improvement and comply with commitments made to local communities, including building healthcare facilities, developing agricultural roads, and ensuring regular support for workers.
“If these obligations are not met, the central government will be forced to take further action,” warned Mutombo.
Jointly owned by Chinese and Congolese stakeholders, SACIM had previously appealed to the President to lift the CEEC regulation, which it said was hindering its survival.
President Tshisekedi’s decision is viewed as a strategic intervention aimed at rescuing a key employer in the region, though it raises questions about the company’s management practices.
While the decision offers hope to SACIM’s workers and the local community, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the company can meet its obligations and avoid further sanctions.
