Mapping Artisanal Mining Sites in Western Mambasa, DRC’s Ituri Province
The western part of Mambasa territory in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has largely remained off the radar of national authorities and international partners, despite a significant surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASM) operations.
These expansions have not only triggered tensions between various stakeholders but also raised concerns about environmental degradation and insecurity in the region, particularly in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR).
To delve into the intricacies of these issues, the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) conducted a comprehensive study, analyzing 41 mines in western Mambasa to assess the consequences of the ASM sector’s growth on security, environment, and socio-economic dynamics within and around the OWR.
While some armed groups have been ousted from the area in recent years, Mambasa continues to grapple with insecurity, largely stemming from the deployment of undisciplined Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) personnel hired as security for privately-owned mining concessions located in proximity to, or even within, the OWR.
These soldiers engage in extortion, set up illicit roadblocks, and expel miners from ASM sites on behalf of concession owners. Additionally, clashes occur between park rangers from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), responsible for safeguarding the OWR, and undisciplined FARDC units securing illegal mining sites within the reserve.
Satellite imagery and on-ground observations reveal an escalation of mining activities along the Ituri River, taking a toll on the environment.
This includes riverbed diversion, deforestation, and rampant use of mercury, resulting in river pollution and the destruction of surrounding ecosystems.
Moreover, the presence of miners spurs the demand for bush meat, driving poaching practices that threaten endangered species, including chimpanzees and pangolins.
Challenges in Government Oversight
Government oversight and regulation in the region are persistently undermined. Undisciplined FARDC forces, contracted by private companies to secure illegal mining sites, frequently obstruct official agents’ access to these sites.
According to IPIS, State Agency for the Evaluation of Mineral Substances (SAEMAPE) agents have been denied access to over 50% of the mining sites mapped in western Mambasa.
To restore peace and stability in western Mambasa, IPIS recommends that artisanal miners operating within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve be offered opportunities to work elsewhere.
This necessitates collaborative efforts among local, provincial, and national mining authorities to establish “Artisanal Mining Zones” (ZEAs).
The report also calls on national and international partners to explore new income-generating activities for the region. Lastly, legal measures should be taken against small-scale companies involved in the illegal exploitation of the OWR’s natural resources.
