DRC Moves to Revive Historic Mongbwalu Gold District Through New Industrial Mining Partnership
DRC Launches Mongbwalu Gold Venture to Formalise Ituri Mining and Boost Industrial Gold Production
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is advancing efforts to formalise and industrialise its gold sector through a new joint venture to develop the historic Mongbwalu gold district in Ituri Province, one of the country’s richest but most challenging gold-producing regions.
The project brings together the state-owned mining company Société Minière de Kilo-Moto (SOKIMO) and Shari Minerals (SHM), a mining company established in 2025 to develop the Mongbwalu Gold Mine in partnership with SOKIMO.
The initiative is expected to support the government’s broader strategy of increasing formal gold production, improving mineral traceability and attracting long-term investment into the country’s mining sector.
Reviving one of Congo’s historic gold regions
Mongbwalu, located in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, has been a centre of gold mining for more than a century.
During the colonial period, the wider Kilo-Moto gold belt produced more than one million ounces of gold before production declined following nationalisation and decades of underinvestment.
Although the area remains highly prospective, industrial mining has been limited for years while artisanal mining expanded across much of the concession.
Today, thousands of artisanal miners continue to operate in and around the Mongbwalu district, making it one of the country’s most active informal gold-producing regions.
Supporting mining sector formalisation
The new partnership is expected to introduce modern exploration and mining practices while strengthening oversight of gold production in the region.
Authorities have identified formalisation of the gold sector as a priority, aiming to improve transparency, reduce illegal mining and increase the share of gold entering official trading channels.
The Mongbwalu project complements several broader mining reforms introduced by the Congolese government, including plans to establish an internationally accredited gold refinery, strengthen mineral traceability systems and improve governance across artisanal mining.
Officials believe these initiatives could help increase government revenues while making Congolese gold more attractive to international buyers seeking responsibly sourced minerals.
Economic opportunities for Ituri
Beyond increasing gold production, the project is expected to generate employment, stimulate local businesses and encourage investment in infrastructure within Ituri Province.
Industrial mining operations typically require the development of roads, power supply, logistics facilities and community services, creating broader economic benefits alongside mineral production.
The government has also emphasised the importance of ensuring that mining projects contribute to local development through job creation, skills transfer and support for surrounding communities.
Part of a broader mining strategy
The Mongbwalu development reflects the DRC’s wider effort to unlock greater value from its vast mineral resources by expanding formal mining operations and strengthening regulatory oversight.
Alongside reforms in the cobalt, copper and critical minerals sectors, authorities are seeking to modernise gold production through increased private investment, improved governance and internationally recognised standards for responsible sourcing.
If successfully implemented, the Mongbwalu venture could become a key step in transforming one of the DRC’s most historically important gold districts into a modern industrial mining operation while supporting the country’s objective of building a more transparent and competitive gold industry
