DRC Mines Minister Strengthens Bilateral Ties at China Mining Forum 2024
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was represented at the China Mining Forum 2024 by Kizito Pakabomba, the Minister of Mines.
His visit focused on strengthening Sino-Congolese cooperation in the mining sector through strategic meetings and industrial visits.
Upon arrival, Minister Pakabomba was welcomed by DRC Ambassador to China, François Balumuene. He then met with Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, to discuss potential partnerships in energy and natural resources that would benefit both nations.
At the China Mining Forum, Pakabomba emphasized the importance of the DRC-China mining partnership. He highlighted the DRC’s significant contribution to the global supply of essential minerals and stressed the need for cooperation based on mutual respect and transparency. He also urged Chinese investors to focus on local mineral processing and environmentally sustainable technologies.
During the forum, the Minister visited various industrial mining booths, further strengthening relationships with key industry players.
He met with Chen Jinghe, Chairman of Zijin Mining, which already has operations in the DRC, to explore potential cooperation and tour the company’s facilities.
Pakabomba’s mission concluded with an official meeting on October 17 with China’s Minister of Natural Resources, Wang Guanghua, in Beijing.
They discussed diversifying Chinese investments in the DRC, particularly in mineral processing, a critical component for the energy transition.
They also addressed sustainable infrastructure projects and the upcoming signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in research, geoscience, and vocational training.
Overall, this mission underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and accelerate the development of the DRC’s mining sector.
