DRC President Relaunches Kipushi Corporation to Boost Zinc Production and Jobs
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi announced the official relaunch of Kipushi Corporation (Kico SA) on Sunday during a meeting in Lubumbashi.
Located in Kipushi, a mining town in Haut-Katanga, the company’s revival is expected to boost job creation and elevate the town’s global profile through zinc production, which is in high demand across industries.
“Kipushi will experience a revival,” Tshisekedi stated. “Hundreds, even thousands, of direct and indirect jobs will be created. This activity will put Kipushi on the world map, as zinc remains a highly sought-after resource in modern industries.”
Established in 1924, Kico SA operates as a joint venture between Gécamines and Ivanhoe Mines. Since 2011, Ivanhoe Mines has held a 68% stake, leaving Gécamines with 32%. The mine is strategically located about 30 kilometers southwest of Lubumbashi, near the Zambian border.
This is not the first time Kico SA’s activities have been revived under President Tshisekedi’s leadership. On August 23, 2022, then-Prime Minister Sama Lukonde, alongside government officials, also spearheaded efforts to restart zinc production at the company.
The relaunch of Kico SA is seen as a pivotal step in harnessing the region’s mining potential, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening the DRC’s position in the global mining sector.
