First meeting of the National Consultation Framework of Stakeholders in the DRC Mining Sector
On Thursday, April 20, 2022, at the Salon Rouge of the Fleuve Congo Hotel, the Prime Minister, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, participated in the first meeting of the National Consultation Framework of Stakeholders in the mining sector. The Government Chief presided over the opening ceremony of this Forum on behalf of the President of the Republic, which aims to reflect on the modernization of artisanal mining in the DRC.
The Forum brings together more than 150 participants who will discuss the challenges of modernizing artisanal mining in the DRC. The Presidential Strategic Monitoring Council (CPVS), which coordinates this framework, explained that this meeting aims to establish a permanent dialogue between actors involved in the management of the extractive, oil, and mining sectors.
Through Pillar 5 of its 2021-2023 Action Plan, the Government had pledged to improve the governance of natural resources to achieve the well-being of the people.
“I am honored to preside over the opening today of the first meeting of the National Consultation Framework of Stakeholders in the mining sector. And I thank you for responding positively to this invitation. The present meeting derives from the will of His Excellency Mr. President of the Republic, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Head of State, whom I represent here. The will so often expressed to clean up the mining sector in particular and the extractive sector in general, in order to promote, through conscientious principles, a culture of transparency and accountability while ensuring the recovery and restitution to the common heritage of resources and their fruits, which are the subject of disputes with foreigners. This vision, as was recalled here by Pillar 5 of the government’s 2021-2023 action plan, specifically devotes improvement in governance in the management of natural resources, state-owned companies in the portfolio sector, and state finances, requiring diligent and concerted follow-up… The President of the Republic, Head of State, has ensured that an appropriate framework for exchange can be created, under the coordination of the Presidential Strategic Monitoring Council, a specialized service within the Presidency of the Republic,” said the Government Chief, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde.
In his speech, the Prime Minister referred to the persistent security situation in the eastern part of our national territory where the country is the victim of an aggression war inflicted on us by Rwanda under the cover of the M23, especially through coveting our resources.
“As you know, the mineral resources that our subsoil is full of, in particular cobalt, coltan, germanium, copper, lithium, manganese, nickel, or graphite, to name but a few, are subject to very strong demand and coveting due to their centrality in the energy and digital transition in which humanity as a whole is embarked today,” he added.
Moreover, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure control and transparency of the supply chains of these metals throughout the country.
“Although this may be a source of pride, the position of world leader in the production of these metals must necessarily prompt us to strengthen control and transparency throughout the supply chains of these resources, not only through the mining code and regulations in force, but also through the observance and implementation of the due diligence duty imposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines. I want to remind here that it is only through the rigor of cohesion, the result of the combination of our efforts, that we will be able to achieve this objective of cleaning up our extractive sector as a whole. That is why, under the impetus of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the Government has taken without reservation the establishment of this national framework for consultation. As long as it allows us to bring together the contributions, the best of everyone, in order to achieve the transparency objectives assigned to this noble initiative,” he concluded.
It should be noted that the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, who, in her speech, raised the various challenges to be met in artisanal mining in the DRC. It is also worth noting the participation of the Coordinator of the Presidential Council for Strategic Monitoring, the main mining operators in the DRC, public and specialized services of the State, decentralized territorial entities (DTEs), civil society organizations, as well as technical and financial partners of the Government.
