DRC Mines Minister Reviews Virtus Minerals’ Progress on Former Chemaf Assets
DRC Mines Minister Calls for Monthly Reporting as Virtus Minerals Advances Étoile and Mutoshi Projects
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to closely monitoring the development of strategic mining projects following a high-level meeting with Virtus Minerals to review progress on the former Chemaf mining assets.
Speaking after a working session held on June 2, 2026, the minister said the meeting was convened to assess developments since Virtus Minerals received authorization to take over the mining assets of the Chemaf Group.
The review comes two months after the completion of the transaction, which transferred control of the strategic assets to the company.
During the meeting, Virtus Minerals Chief Executive Officer Phil Braun provided an update on ongoing work related to the development of the Étoile and Mutoshi projects in Lualaba Province.
According to Braun, the company continues to advance project development while maintaining a strong focus on community engagement and local economic development.
The minister noted that Virtus Minerals highlighted its commitment to creating employment opportunities, investing in workforce training, and strengthening dialogue with local communities surrounding the mining operations.
“I encouraged the company to maintain close collaboration with the Ministry of Mines to ensure the success of the project, in compliance with the laws of the Republic and the best practices of the mining industry,” the minister said.
The minister emphasized that the government’s oversight aligns with the vision of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and is being implemented under the coordination of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.
To strengthen monitoring of the projects, the minister instructed Virtus Minerals to submit monthly activity reports to the Ministry of Mines.
The reports will enable authorities to track project milestones, assess operational progress, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The minister also underscored the importance of maintaining constructive relationships with local communities and artisanal miners operating around the project areas.
He stressed that collaboration with all stakeholders would be essential to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the Étoile and Mutoshi developments.
The meeting forms part of the Ministry of Mines’ ongoing efforts to oversee key mining investments and ensure that major projects contribute to national development while adhering to industry best practices and the country’s mining regulations.
