DRC Leads Push for Stronger Regional Controls on Illegal Mining at ICGLR Ministerial Summit
DRC Hosts ICGLR Mining Summit, Calls for Stronger Regional Action Against Illegal Mineral Trade
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) hosted the 8th Ordinary Meeting of Ministers in charge of Mines from member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on July 31, 2025, in Kinshasa.
Held at the Hilton Hotel, the high-level summit brought together regional mining leaders to address the dual nature of mineral resources as both a catalyst for development and a driver of conflict when exploited illegally.
At the center of the discussions was the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM)—the cornerstone of the ICGLR’s strategy to combat the illegal exploitation of natural resources in Central and East Africa.
The RCM serves as a guarantee of the legality, traceability, and ethical origin of minerals extracted within the region.
In his opening address, DRC Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, welcomed the presence of his regional counterparts and partners.
He reiterated President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s vision to transform the country’s resource wealth into a driver of peace, transparency, and prosperity across the Great Lakes region.
“The RCM is more than a bureaucratic formality. It is our shared defense against illicit networks and the foundation of international confidence in our mineral exports,” the Minister emphasized.
In response to rising mineral smuggling and worsening security in certain mining zones, the DRC has enacted strong countermeasures. These include:
Classifying sensitive sites as “red zones” to restrict access
Referring cases to the ICGLR Executive Secretariat to initiate regional investigations
While acknowledging progress in evaluating the six tools of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR), Minister Pakabomba cautioned against persistent disparities in implementation among member states.
“We have the tools. We have the experience. What’s often missing is the political will to apply them effectively,” he said, urging a collective shift from words to action.
To accelerate implementation of the RCM and curtail illegal mineral trading, the DRC’s Minister of Mines proposed three critical actions:
Strengthen enforcement of the RCM through independent audits, targeted technical assistance, and a system of sanctions
Establish a regional task force dedicated to investigating vulnerable supply chains
Fast-track the operationalization of the regional mineral certification laboratory in Tanzania to reinforce traceability and credibility
He also made a call for renewed regional solidarity and mutual accountability in honoring shared commitments.
“The Great Lakes Region deserves more than being a hotspot of mineral-fueled conflicts. It can become a model of local processing, fair trade, and inclusive regional integration,” he concluded.
The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) is a twelve-member intergovernmental organization working to promote peace, security, and development across Central and East Africa.
Its members include: Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The ICGLR operates under the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, which provides the legal and policy framework for tackling transboundary issues, including illegal resource extraction.
The 8th Ministerial Meeting represents a critical step in bolstering the ICGLR’s collective response to illicit mining, a challenge that continues to undermine peacebuilding and economic development in the region.
