JUSTICIA Asbl Calls for Stronger Action Against Alleged Illegal Mining on Metalkol Concession in Lualaba
DRC NGO Urges Swift Prosecution Over Alleged Illegal Mining on Metalkol SA Concession in Lualaba
The NGO JUSTICIA Asbl has urged Congolese authorities to maintain and intensify judicial and administrative proceedings against individuals and groups accused of illegal mining activities on part of the Metalkol SA concession in Lualaba province.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in Kinshasa, the human rights and governance organization welcomed what it described as the dismantling of a “mafia-like network” allegedly operating under the guise of a dredging operation on the Musonoi River.
According to JUSTICIA Asbl, the activities were in reality aimed at the illegal extraction of minerals within Mining Permit (PER 652), which belongs to Metalkol SA, a subsidiary of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG).
Alleged Illegal Occupation of Mining Concession
The organization claims that the Hosanna Cooperative had been occupying part of the concession since February 2026, engaging in unauthorized extraction activities.
In response, national and provincial authorities reportedly launched coordinated interventions to halt the operations and restore control of the site to Metalkol SA.
On May 22, 2026, a joint mission involving representatives from the Military Household of the Head of State and the Inspectorate General of the Armed Forces visited the site to re-establish security and secure the concession area.
During the operation, authorities reportedly seized more than 131 pieces of heavy machinery, including trucks, excavators, loaders, and other industrial equipment abandoned on-site.
Questions Over Scale of Operations
JUSTICIA Asbl says the scale and sophistication of the equipment discovered raises serious questions about the true nature of the activities conducted at the site.
The organization argues that a simple dredging operation could not reasonably justify the deployment of industrial equipment worth several million dollars, suggesting instead the existence of a large-scale mining operation.
It further alleges that extracted minerals were transported to processing facilities linked to Chinese operators, though it does not provide independent verification of these claims.
Disputed Authorization Claims
The Hosanna Cooperative has reportedly claimed that its activities were based on authorizations issued by various national authorities. However, JUSTICIA Asbl stresses that none of the cited institutions has legal authority to grant mining rights.
The organization also notes that several of the institutions mentioned have formally denied issuing any such authorizations, further deepening concerns over the legality of the operation.
Allegations of Obstruction of Justice
JUSTICIA Asbl also reports an alleged incident of obstruction of justice on June 5, when a group of soldiers reportedly attempted to enter the Metalkol SA site to remove equipment that had been seized and placed under judicial seal by the Lualaba Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the NGO, the intervention was aimed at forcibly recovering the sealed machinery, raising concerns over interference in ongoing legal proceedings.
Call for Exemplary Legal Action
JUSTICIA Asbl President Maître Timothée Mbuya called for a firm judicial response, insisting that those responsible must face prosecution.
He stated that an exemplary trial is necessary to restore Metalkol SA’s rights, sanction illegal operators, and strengthen investor confidence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector.
The organization has called on the President of the Republic to ensure strict enforcement of measures protecting mining concessions and improving the country’s investment climate.
It also urged the Minister of Mines to sanction the Hosanna Cooperative for alleged violations of its accreditation conditions.
In addition, JUSTICIA Asbl requested that the Attorney General at the Lualaba Court of Appeal accelerate ongoing legal proceedings, while the Military Prosecutor’s Office investigates any individuals involved in attempts to interfere with seized equipment or obstruct justice.
Governance Implications
JUSTICIA Asbl concludes that the case represents a critical test for governance in the Congolese mining sector, particularly in relation to the protection of mining investments, enforcement of the rule of law, and the fight against illegal resource exploitation.
