DRC Strengthens Mineral Traceability Amid Rising Conflict in the East
At a briefing on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba reaffirmed the Congolese government’s commitment to strengthening mineral traceability in response to ongoing conflict in the East, exacerbated by Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
Pakabomba highlighted that the DRC has undertaken significant measures to ensure its minerals meet international certification standards, particularly for the U.S. and European markets.
“With the United States, we are engaged in the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to certify DRC’s minerals, ensuring their traceability and preventing conflict minerals from entering supply chains,” he stated. “This initiative guarantees that our resources are responsibly sourced, upholding human rights and ethical mining practices.”
As part of this initiative, the DRC has developed a roadmap with the MSP’s 14 member countries and the European Union to facilitate direct partnerships for responsible mineral supply chains.
Pakabomba also recalled that in 2022, the DRC signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union for the supply of critical minerals.
In December 2024, a roadmap for mineral exports to Western markets was validated by the EU. These efforts aim to secure direct partnerships with the DRC, preventing illicit mineral flows through Rwanda.
Despite these efforts, the European Union and companies like Apple continue to source minerals from Rwanda, indirectly fueling the conflict in eastern DRC.
A 2024 UN report revealed that 150 tonnes of coltan are illegally mined in Rubaya, eastern DRC, and smuggled into Rwanda before being resold under a strategic minerals agreement signed with the EU in February 2024.
Pakabomba emphasized that these illicit trade networks undermine DRC’s sovereignty and perpetuate instability in the region. The government remains committed to working with international partners to ensure that DRC’s minerals reach global markets transparently and ethically.
