Mining cooperatives in Haut-Katanga, denounce the invasion of their sites
Artisanal miners in Haut-Katanga have been denouncing the invasion of their mining sites for nearly a month. However, they specify, they hold contracts of these mining squares in good and due form.
In an update made on Saturday in Lubumbashi, the Fundi Mining company, for example, located near Mwandigusha, nearly 70 kilometers from the town of Likasi, said it was surprised by the presence of a strong team of soldiers and police sent and explaining that they came on behalf of the provincial Ministry of Mines in Haut-Katanga, and invaded this concession and engaged in an exploitation that is similar to systematic looting.
Hundreds of workers find themselves, specifies this company, unemployed by this work and the investors spend their time knocking on the offices of Gecamines, military auditorate, mining police and governorate.
“Finally, we wonder if the authorities in the provinces are really supporting the Head of State or not. How can you invade a company that has all the documents in order? Put so many young people out of work and above all discourage investors who pay the tax and duties. It’s really sad for the Congo”, said, for his part, a trade unionist from this company who calls on the central government to keep an eye open.
It is, according to this clarification, the covetousness of the Sokoroshe 3 site.
“Since Friday, the same scenario has been repeated in the SOKOROSHE 3 mining concession located 43 km from the city of Lubumbashi on the Likasi Road (Haut-Katanga).
According to the diggers (artisanal miners) supervised by the Katanga Artisanal Mining Cooperative (COMAKAT), soldiers and police burst into the mining concession and smashed everything in their path: camp, tents and other production tools.
A few days, the head of the mining sector in Haut-Katanga, namely the Minister Georges Mawine, came to the site promising to set up his company called FPMD, one of his firms, while COMAKAT is still under contract with the Gecamines.
Sources close to Gecamines confide that the Contract between COMAKAT and Gecamines is still valid and that there would be no reason to terminate it at this time.
This is rejected by the provincial Minister of Mines who says “execute a decision of Gecamines” without advancing any foundations. Georges Mawine clearly explains that he has no involvement in this case and is only executing the decision of the General of Quarries and Mines (Gecamines).
Meanwhile, according to concordant sources at Gecamines, its mining division and even Saemape, it turns out that this practice has become commonplace in Haut-Katanga since the advent of Minister Mawine.
Allegations refuted by those close to the minister who praise “the orthodoxy of their boss” as being one of the exemplary ministers.
This question will be raised at the provincial assembly where an oral question with debate is raised to clarify the provincial representation.
Source: actualite.cd
