DRC: Some mining companies posing as cooperatives, but industrially exploiting South Kivu’s minerals

The National Assembly convened a plenary on Wednesday to examine the report of the mission carried out in the territory of Mwenga (South Kivu) by the deputies from September 8 to 14 following the denunciations concerning the illegal exploitation of minerals in this region or part of the country by outfits by foreigners. The affair caused a stir. Demonstrations were organized by the local population about this before the parliament decided to find out more. Denunciations that echoed at the People’s Palace with the oral question with debate by deputy Lutundula Okito Didier, addressed to the Minister of Mines and the correspondence of his colleague Kibala N’Kolde Jean-Claude at the office of the National Assembly. 

The report which will be presented to the National Assembly lists some problems and proposes solutions.

1st problem 

These mining companies, which operate industrially, pass themselves off as mining cooperatives called for artisanal activities and subject to another regime. They plunder the Congolese state with the help of public services called however to protect it. There are at least six companies that are directly cited.

2nd problem 

The majority of mining companies that operate have not concluded any agreements with the local communities and those that have done so have never respected them. 

3rd problem 

During mining activities, the fields and fish ponds of the local communities were destroyed and the water pollution. These have seriously compromised the relations between the mining companies, mainly managed by foreigners, and the local communities.

4th problem

Demonstrations by populations against these practices have led to cascading arbitrary arrests, kidnappings of certain members of civil society in the MWENGA territory and loss of human life both on the side of foreign operators and on the side of local communities.

For the context, on August 20, the provincial authorities of South Kivu had decided to suspend the activities of Chinese companies suspected of multiple abuses in the exploitation of gold sites in the territory of Mwenga. This decision was then challenged by the national Minister of Mines.

The debates in the National Assembly should make it possible to learn more about this affair and to draw the necessary consequences.