Experts Advocate for Local Processing of Kivu Coltan to Boost Economic Gains
During the presentation of the project “Kivu Coltan: Physico-Chemical Processing Capacity and Application Studies” last weekend at the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Bukavu (ISP/BUKAVU) in South Kivu, Professor Fabrice Muvundja urged experts to advocate for local industrialization to enhance value-added exports.
In his speech, Professor Muvundja highlighted the lack of scientific research on Kivu coltan, despite its significant contribution to the regional economy for nearly twenty-four years.
“Kivu coltan has been a cornerstone of the regional economy since the 2000s. We have recognized its value for the national economy, yet minimal scientific research has been conducted. Consequently, the coltan industry has not fully realized its potential benefits,” he observed.
Professor Muvundja emphasized the importance of opening avenues for scientific study of this mineral. “We found it crucial to study this ore more scientifically and to propose chemical processes for locally extracting and purifying tantalum and niobium. This would extend the value chain and make coltan more beneficial for the population,” he explained.
He asserted that local industrialization of coltan would lead to job creation, increased tax revenues, and strengthened education through the training of specialists in the field.
This promising project, led by experts from ISP/BUKAVU in collaboration with the Catholic University of Bukavu and the Universities of Namur and Liège in Belgium, underscores the potential benefits of local coltan processing.
