DRC’s Minister of Mines Tours Key Provinces to Reinforce Mining Sector Reforms
Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba recently embarked on a tour of several provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assess the progress and challenges within the mining sector.
This initiative aligns with President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision of transforming the mining industry into a catalyst for economic diversification and wealth creation.
After visiting Haut-Uélé and North Kivu, Minister Pakabomba commenced his second official mission on Thursday, August 15, 2024, focusing on the mining-rich provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.
During his week-long tour, the Minister aimed to gain firsthand insight into the mining sector’s realities across the provinces he visited. In each location, he encouraged local communities to adopt practices that would better harness the mining sector as a driver of economic diversification in the DRC.
Accompanied by key experts, including the Secretary General of Mines, Jacques Ramazani Lutuba; the Director General of the Mining Cadastre (CAMI), Popol Mabolia Yenga; and the Director General of the Assistance and Supervision Service for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (SAEMAPE), Jean-Paul Kapongo Kadiobo, the Minister intends to return to Kinshasa with a comprehensive understanding of the mining sector’s status in the visited provinces.
The Minister’s agenda includes site visits to various mining companies to inject new energy into the sector. Upon his arrival in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, Minister Pakabomba met with Vice-Governor Martin Kazembe to discuss the current state of the mining industry in the region, which is considered crucial for improving the living conditions of the local population in line with President Tshisekedi’s goals.
The discussions also touched on the environmental challenges associated with mining. Before heading to Lualaba province, the Minister visited the facilities of the Congolese Company for the Processing of Terril de Lubumbashi (STL), where he acknowledged the challenges facing the company and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the resilience of the national economy through more robust control of the mining sector.
Later that day, the Minister arrived in Kolwezi, Lualaba, where he was welcomed by Vice-Governor Clément Mufindji Tshinat Karl. He then held a working meeting with the Provincial Governor and heads of mining sector services in Lualaba.
During the meeting, Minister Pakabomba emphasized the mining sector’s critical role in the national economy and the well-being of local communities.
He praised the province’s visible progress, particularly in infrastructure development, while also addressing the environmental, artisanal, and energy challenges faced by the region.
The Minister pledged to find swift solutions to these challenges and stressed the importance of mining companies fulfilling their commitments in terms of specifications, royalties, and social development, in line with the expectations of the Head of State. He also highlighted the need for a fairer distribution of wealth to ensure that the benefits reach the Congolese people.
In his meeting with Lualaba’s mining administration, Minister Pakabomba underscored their crucial role in developing the mining sector and urged them to focus on tangible results while upholding values of ethics, courtesy, and performance.
The Minister’s tour will continue with additional visits to mining companies in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba before his return to Kinshasa, scheduled for August 21, 2024.
