DRC Minister of Mines Meets with Delegation to Address Illicit Mining Challenges in South Kivu
The Minister of Mines recently met with a delegation led by Mr. Davide Marcheselli, an Italian priest based in Kitutu, South Kivu. The delegation, representing the Association for the Defense of Victims of Mining Expropriations (ADVEM), highlighted the challenges faced by local communities due to illicit and illegal mining, particularly gold extraction.
Mr. Marcheselli, along with members of civil society and the Catholic and Protestant Churches of Congo, emphasized the severity of the situation in the Mwenga territory.
He noted that many companies operating in the region are not legally recognized and their activities are detrimental to both the local population and the environment. “We established ADVEM to defend the rights of victims and raise awareness about the consequences of this uncontrolled exploitation,” he stated.
During the meeting, the delegation called for government intervention to strengthen regulations on mining companies and better protect local communities from exploitation.
In response, the Minister of Mines expressed strong support and a commitment to collaborating on finding solutions. “The Minister was very receptive to our concerns and is dedicated to addressing the issues,” said Mr. Marcheselli following the meeting.
This meeting marks a significant step in fostering dialogue between civil society and public authorities aimed at establishing a legal, equitable, and human rights-respecting mining framework in South Kivu.
