Haut-Uele Civil Society Calls for Suspension of Chinese-Supported Mining Activities
On Saturday, July 13, in Isiro, the Haut-Uele Civil Society Synergy called on the provincial governor to suspend semi-industrial mining activities by cooperatives supported by Chinese expatriates.
This northeastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen extensive mining operations, which civil society claims have not contributed to local development or improved living conditions for the population.
The statement highlighted several concerns:
–Environmental Destruction: Unregulated use of heavy machinery has led to significant environmental damage, including deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation, and the destruction of road infrastructure, particularly bridges. Unfilled mining pits have also caused fatalities.
–Lack of Transparency: There is a failure to monitor and control the quantities of gold produced and a lack of tax contributions from mining activities to the province’s development.
–Non-compliance: Mining cooperatives and Chinese expatriates have not adhered to agreements made with local communities.
The civil society group urged Governor Jean Bakomito to suspend mining activities province-wide until all cooperatives and their expatriate owners are properly identified and their equipment inventoried.
They demanded a halt to the operations of all non-compliant cooperatives that fail to contribute to the province’s development or honor their agreements with indigenous populations.
Additionally, the group condemned the complicity of the central government in Kinshasa, accusing it of exploiting the province’s resources while its population suffers from increasing poverty.
The presence of Chinese operators and their heavy equipment in artisanal gold mining areas since 2020 has been a point of contention.
Local populations have resisted these operations, leading to tensions and fatalities. In Faradje territory, local authorities and residents successfully pushed Chinese expatriates to cease their activities.
Despite numerous complaints and visits from the Minister of Mines, the situation remains largely unchanged.
The ongoing issue has also contributed to insecurity in the region, with insurgent attacks targeting the bases of these expatriates, particularly in Wamba and Watsa territories, where large-scale operations continue.
