DRC: Reinforcement of security measures around Shinkolobwe, a mining site rich in uranium
The work to secure the Shinkolobwe mining site located in the territory of Kambove and rich in uranium in Haut-Katanga is continuing. It is in this context that the head of the provincial executive went to the place on Tuesday to reassure himself not only of the progress of the work but also of the security around the Shinkolobwe site, 150 km from Lubumbashi.
“At this point, it must be said that we are satisfied with the work that is being done here and it also proves that the Shinkolobwe site is completely secure and no one can claim that the site is being operated. We have the assurance that Shinkolobwe is secure. and we will continue to intensify with the surveillance, elements of the DRC Armed Forces and the police are around the Shinkolobwe site to monitor, “Jacques Kyabula Katwe said on Tuesday, on the spot in Shinkolobwe in Kambove territory, governor of Haut-Katanga.
The Générale des Carrières et de Mines (Gecamines) has erected bollards in the prohibited zone and the gutters were also dug nearly three and a half meters in length and width in double format, according to the explanations of Gécamines experts at governor of Haut-Katanga, and this to prevent access to this prohibited site.
It is from this mine, 150 kilometers north of Lubumbashi, that the uranium used to manufacture the first atomic bombs dropped in 1945 on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was extracted.
Belonging to the state-owned company Gécamines, it has been officially closed since 1960 and the last presidential ordinance confirming this closure dates back to 2004.
However, the clandestine exploitation of the mine continues and “we informed the authorities about it last June”, said at the time, Paul Kisimba, activist of human rights and the civil society of Likasi, located city 30 km from the mine in the territory of Kambove.
