New DRC Govt Urged to Prioritize Energy Sector to Boost Mining Industry
On the eve of the inauguration of the Judith Suminwa Tuluka government, the Prime Minister and her team face numerous challenges, with a significant emphasis on prioritizing the energy sector.
Patrick Muland Kabey, President of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) Katanga section, highlighted the critical need for this focus to support the mining industry, which is currently suffering from a severe electrical energy deficit.
Speaking at a press conference in Lubumbashi organized by DRC Mining Week in collaboration with the FEC and event sponsors, Patrick Muland called for immediate attention to the energy crisis.
He explained that Haut-Katanga province faces an energy deficit of approximately 1000 megawatts, which hampers local mineral processing—a key issue discussed at the 19th edition of DRC Mining Week.
“This energy deficit will not allow economic development. To ensure sustained and sustainable economic growth, energy is a crucial element,” Muland stated, advocating for sustainable investments in the energy sector to bolster mining production.
As global copper production is expected to double within the next 15 years, Muland noted that the country’s mining production is growing exponentially. However, without adequate planning and energy resources, keeping pace with global trends will be challenging.
“I believe this energy deficit should be a priority for the new government,” he recommended. He also warned, “The more mining production increases, the shorter the lifespan of the deposits.”
Expressing skepticism about the Grand Inga project, a government initiative to address the energy deficit, Muland instead supports the construction of mini power plants and encourages private sector initiatives to tackle the issue more effectively.
“It’s true that we’re discussing the Grand Inga project, but I am not optimistic about its rapid development. We have a skills and training problem,” Muland said.
He suggested that developing mini power stations across the country, which has abundant waterways, would be more cost-effective and less complex.
The 19th edition of DRC Mining Week, which focused on local mineral processing, featured workshops and round tables on energy sector investments.
These discussions aimed to develop effective solutions to the energy problem, supporting local mineral processing and driving significant economic growth in the DRC.
SOURCE:mines-cd
