DRC’s EITI Raises Awareness Among Mining Firms Regarding 0.3% Turnover Allocation
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (ITIE-DRC) recently conducted a workshop from September 19 to 21, 2023. This event aimed to raise awareness and facilitate discussions regarding the application of Mining Code provisions and related decrees pertaining to the allocation of a minimum of 0.3% of mining companies’ turnover in the DRC.
Held concurrently in Durba, Goma, Lubumbashi, and Kolwezi, these discussions provided a platform for stakeholders to address ambiguities surrounding this matter that had previously divided them.
The workshop was expertly led by professionals from ST ITIE and the Ministry of Mines, along with representatives from Local Administrations, CAMI, CTCPM, FNPSS, and the Mines Division.
The event was held from September 20 to 22, 2023, with funding provided by the World Bank’s ENCORE project through COREF.
To ensure compliance with articles 258 bis and 285 of the Mining Code, which pertain to the allocation of a minimum of 0.3% of turnover, regulatory measures were established by the Ministers responsible for Mines and Social Affairs.
This included the issuance of Interministerial Order n°00820/CAB/MIN/MINES/01 and n°003/CAB.MIN/AFF.SOC.AHSN dated 12/21/2021, approving the Endowment Management Procedures Manual for allocating a minimum of 0.3% of turnover to community development projects in the mining sector.
This initiative sought to address community needs, primarily focusing on the construction of essential community infrastructure (such as roads, schools, hospitals), provision of drinking water and electrical energy, job creation, entrepreneurship, hygiene, and sanitation.
Additionally, specialized organizations known as DOT, comprising mixed teams from Mines and Social Affairs, were established by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba, in collaboration with 13 selected pilot mining companies.
These organizations were set up in Haut-Katanga, Kasaï Oriental, Lualaba, and North Kivu, with the aim of implementing community-oriented projects.
However, these DOTs faced various challenges and obstacles, including inadequate communication between communities and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), lack of government support according to DOT members, gaps in understanding the 0.3% allocation management procedures manual, and internal blockages.
The workshops organized by the EITI in the targeted cities provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to address these challenges, exchange experiences, and clarify uncertainties.
The workshops pursued three primary objectives:
1.Attain a consistent understanding of the regulations pertaining to the 0.3% allocation among all involved parties.
2.Ensure transparent disclosure of information regarding the allocation of 0.3% of mining companies’ turnover.
3.Establish a systematic mechanism for sharing information among companies, administration services, and impacted communities.
These workshops brought together various stakeholders, including representatives of impacted communities, local Administrations, Technical Services of the Ministry of Mines and Social Affairs, sectoral ministry experts, mining company representatives, Civil Society Organizations, and EITI-DRC experts.
During these workshops, the DRC EITI played a pivotal role as the organizer and coordinating body. Its responsibilities included overseeing the information-sharing mechanism’s implementation and following up on the recommendations made by participants.
This collaborative effort seeks to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of resources to benefit the development projects of impacted communities.
