DRC MP Alfred Maisha Raises Concerns Over Primera Gold Deal
The exorbitant advantages granted by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to “Primera,” a United Arab Emirates mining company, continue to stir reactions within the Congolese socio-political sphere nearly a year after the agreement’s signing.
In response, National Deputy Alfred Maisha has submitted a written inquiry to the National Assembly, addressing three government members: Adèle Kayinda, Minister of State for the Portfolio; Antoinette N’Samba, Minister of Mines; and Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance.
Maisha, representing Bukavu, finds the advantages and monopoly granted to Primera unacceptable, as they undermine Congolese companies’ involvement in raw material extraction.
He states, “The Primera company, based in the UAE, forms two companies with the DRC: Primera Gold and Primera Metals, organized in a questionable manner.”
Maisha points out that each Primera company contributes $20,000, with the DRC’s share being $9,000 and Primera’s only $11,000. Despite this, the government members have granted a 25-year monopoly for gold, coltan, cassiterite, and cobalt mining across North Kivu, South Kivu, and Maniema provinces.
Maisha asserts that these actions go against the current Mining Code, which governs the DRC’s mining sector. He emphasizes that such undue privileges for a foreign company contradict President Tshisekedi’s promise to uplift Congolese businesses and individuals.
Furthermore, the contracts expose the DRC to significant losses in case of litigation, as the government has relinquished its sovereignty privileges.
The DRC signed a partnership agreement with the UAE on December 10, 2022, aimed at curbing mining fraud. This led to the establishment of Primera Gold DRC (gold) and Primera Metals DRC (3 T: Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum).
These concerns were brought up during a recent briefing involving Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya and Minister of Finance Nicolas Kazadi. Kazadi justified the lucrative advantages granted to Primera as a measure to compete against Rwanda’s alleged fraudulent mineral exploitation from the DRC.
