Electric instability and invasions of illegal diggers are the major problems in production for “TFM” in DRC
Chinese-owned Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) is one of the largest copper producers in the DRC and the largest cobalt producer in the world. TFM achieves an average annual copper production of around 180,000 tonnes and its average annual cobalt production varies between 16,500 to 18,000 tonnes. But it faces a serious problem of energy deficit due to the poor quality and untimely cuts of the electric current supplied by the National Electricity Company (SNEL). TFM is also stuck with security issues . ACTUALITE.CD and DESKECO.COM have observed on the ground these difficulties which prevent this mining company from better carrying out its cupro-cobalt production.
According to Ir. Aldry Luzanga, production manager of Tenke Fungurume Mining, one minute of SNEL power failure causes TFM to lose at least two hours of production.
“The instability of the SNEL’s electric current is one of the big challenges we have here. The current is very unstable and of poor quality with variations in frequencies. For a minute of power outage here at the factory, it takes us around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to restart everything. This means that we lose 2 hours of production for just one minute of SNEL power failure “, explains Ir. Aldry Luzanga at ACTUALITE.CD and DESKECO.COM.
The big machines in this factory need at least 110 MW per hour to function better. For reasons related to the untimely power cut, TFM has installed a few generators, but the energy supplied by SNEL remains essential for its proper functioning.
“We have generators but we need 110 MW per hour. This cannot be possible with the generators of the capacities that we have here. We have a small generator of 6 MW, which allows us, in the event of a power cut. current, to turn some equipment which must not be stopped, the case of leaching so as not to block the agitator. Without the current, we will stop everything “, added Ir. Aldry Luzanga.
Another major challenge is that related to the security of the Tenke Fungurume Mining concession. His careers in the sectors, mainly those of Pumpi and Kans, experience the recurring invasion of illegal diggers on a daily basis. The latter, report TFM, regularly attack its security elements including the PMH and the FARDC, seriously injuring them while stoning the machinery of the company.
An assessment of the damage carried out by illegal diggers is drawn up by Me. Hugo Patrick Sanza, executive director of the Community Social Fund / TFM.
“From July to September 15, 2021: 26 cases of assault, 08 cases of injuries and 18 cases of vandalism,” he said.
According to TFM, the illegal diggers who threaten his concession come from villages such as Pumpi 11 (Shaboja), Mulumbu, Kalumba (Dieudo), Kiboko …
This mining company also denounces the complicity of certain agents of the state services “such as the police and the ANR who sometimes cooperate with illegal diggers to organize the theft of its mines”.
TFM also denounces the maintenance of deposits and purchase counters for minerals from illegal diggers, located on the edge of its concession, under the beard of the state authorities.
“More and more deposits and mineral purchasing counters are located on the edge of our concession, in full view of the state authorities, promoting the theft of our minerals”, worries Mr. Hugo Patrick Sanza.
Case of the Museba village around the checkpoint which goes beyond the Kakanda junction, where there is the presence of mineral deposits while there is no artisanal exploitation at this point. Who supervises this illegal exploitation? Asks TFM.
Among the actions taken by TFM to ensure the security of its concession, there are in particular: the location of the police (PMH) and FARDC camps on its various hills, the reinforcement of security with the canine section, air patrols with drone, reinforcement of access to the concession, etc. All of these actions do not completely prevent illegal diggers from invading TFM.
What to know about TFM
A subsidiary of China Molybdenum Co. (CMOC), a listed company with its head office in Luoyang, China, Tenke Fungurume Mining is located in Lubudi territory, Lualaba province. It is located 100 km west of Kolwezi, the capital of Lualaba province, and 200 km northeast of Lubumbashi. Its concession covers nearly 1,600 km2, and includes approximately 166 villages and hamlets. Its population is estimated at over 300,000 inhabitants.
In 2018, China Molybdenum Co Ltd invested $ 1.14 billion and became the majority shareholder with 80% of the shares and Gécamines retains its 20% share.
This world-class company contributed to the Congolese public treasury in the first half of 2021 a total of 247.49 million USD. And in the second quarter of 2021, it reported to the public treasury a total of $ 182.46 million.
