DRC – Mines: Minister launces the SICOMINES Contract evolution and signs memo with the with United Arab Emirates.
The Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the DRC and the United Arab Emirates in the mining sector. It was during his stay, from September 29 to October 1 in Abu Dhabi, at the invitation of the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Suhahil Mohamed Al Marzouel, sources from the Ministry of Mines reveal. As soon as she returned home, she launched the evaluation of the SICOMINES contract.
Through this document, the emphasis was placed on sincere cooperation between the two countries in the field of certification, and collaboration between different services such as customs, for the transit of valuable minerals passing through the city. from Dubai.
During her various meetings, in addition to the presentation of investment opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the difficulties of the Congolese mining sector, the Minister of Mines made available to her partners, the general mining mapping of the DRC, in terms of opportunities and challenges in the sector. She mentioned in particular the issue of certification of mining reserves and the fight against mining fraud.
“The United Arab Emirates have become a hub for precious minerals. With that, it turns out to be imperative to consolidate a frank policy of collaboration which will be deployed within the framework of diplomacy, ”said Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi.
The Minister of Mines also insisted on respect for the Congolese mining code for the development of the mining sector in her country.
Evaluation of the SICOMINES contract
On her return to the country, the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, assisted by the Deputy Minister, Godard Motemona, assessed with the delegation of the Sino-Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines), led by its Deputy Director General (DGA), Kanama Élie Tshingulie, the activities of the said company since its establishment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2008 until these days.
According to the same source, the Minister of Mines insisted on the establishment of a direct and close collaboration between the company and the Ministry of Mines, while reassuring that she will always be attentive to any problems that may arise. exposed.
In reaction, DGA Kanama agreed to make available to the Ministry of Mines all the documents necessary for the smooth running of the implementation of the mine against infrastructure program. According to him, continues the source, the first phase of this program aims at the production of 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) tons of copper to support the overdue infrastructure component.
To do this, he requested the support of all Congolese for the project to succeed, because, he said, this program is the foundation of a major infrastructure project for the whole of the DRC.
It should be noted that as part of its infrastructural achievements in the DRC, SICOMINES claims to have allocated from 2008 to date more than 1 billion USD, of which 977 million have been allocated, and 43 infrastructure contracts concluded, which cover the entire scope of the project. country comprising the capital Kinshasa and various provinces such as: Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, Nord-Kivu, Tshopo and Sud-Kivu.
SICOMINES also claims to have participated in the construction of 480 km of roads, such as the Boulevard du 30 Juin, the Avenue du Tourisme and the Boulevard Triomphal in Kinshasa, the rehabilitation of the Kolwezi road system as well as more than 100,000 square meters. of buildings and works, namely the Cinquantenaire Hospital, the Esplanade du Palais du Peuple in Kinshasa. This has significantly contributed to improving the country’s urban image.
