DRC Suspends Mining Operations in South Kivu Amid Illegal Mining and Security Concerns
DR Congo Suspends Mining Activities in Mwenga and Shabunda Over Illegal Operations
The Congolese government has suspended all mining activities in the territories of Mwenga and Shabunda in South Kivu Province following growing concerns over illegal mining operations and security threats linked to the sector.
The decision was announced in a decree signed on May 22, 2026, in Kinshasa by Minister of Mines Louis Kabamba Watum.
Under the order, all mining activities in the two territories will remain suspended for a period of three months.
According to the Ministry of Mines, the measure follows multiple reports from public institutions and findings from parliamentary investigations pointing to a sharp rise in mining activities being conducted outside the legal framework in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authorities say the situation has become increasingly alarming, with concerns extending beyond illegal mineral exploitation to issues of national security.
The ministerial decree indicates that revenues generated from some illicit mining activities are suspected of being used to finance operations aimed at destabilising state institutions.
The government says the temporary suspension is intended to restore order in a sector that has long faced accusations of fraud, illegal exploitation, smuggling, and poor mineral traceability.
During the suspension period, the General Inspectorate of Mines, working alongside other government agencies, will deploy an inspection team to investigate mining operations across the affected territories.
The mission will focus on verifying the legality of mining activities, documenting reported violations, identifying individuals and entities involved, and recommending legal and administrative measures in accordance with Congolese mining laws.
Illegal mineral exploitation remains a major challenge across several mining regions in eastern DRC, where weak oversight and cross-border smuggling networks have continued to undermine state revenues and fuel insecurity.
For years, Congolese authorities have been working to strengthen regulatory controls, improve mineral traceability systems, and curb fraudulent mining practices operating outside official channels.
The suspension in Mwenga and Shabunda now marks the beginning of a three-month monitoring and investigation period as industry stakeholders await the outcome of inspections and potential further government action.
