SOKIMO Suspends Cooperative Mining Operations in Ituri Amid Governance Review
SOKIMO halts mining activities in Ituri cooperatives as Kinshasa talks target governance reforms and sector cleanup
The Kilo-Moto Mining Company (SOKIMO) has engaged mining cooperatives and key stakeholders in Kinshasa for a series of working sessions aimed at reshaping the future of mining operations within its concessions in Ituri province.
The discussions follow a recent field mission to Ituri by SOKIMO’s senior management, which identified several operational and governance challenges affecting some local mining cooperatives.
These included issues related to compliance with commitments, organizational capacity, and overall management practices.
In response to these findings, SOKIMO temporarily suspended activities of the affected cooperatives and partners to allow for a comprehensive review of operations and to establish a new framework for collaboration.
The Kinshasa meetings, led by SOKIMO Director General Yannick Nzonde, provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess existing cooperation models and propose adjustments aimed at improving coordination and accountability within the sector.
According to Nzonde, the decision was driven by concerning observations made during site inspections in Bunia, Ituri.
He noted widespread irregularities at certain operational sites, prompting the need for an immediate pause to conduct a thorough assessment and implement corrective reforms.
He emphasized that the suspension is intended to create space for a structured evaluation of activities and to develop more effective operational standards moving forward.
Following the discussions, participants expressed a shared commitment to strengthening transparency, improving governance, and reinforcing trust between SOKIMO and its partners.
The company stated that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to modernize management practices within its artisanal mining operations.
SOKIMO reiterated its objective of enhancing accountability and efficiency in the exploitation of mineral resources, with a focus on ensuring that mining activities generate greater benefits for local communities and the national economy.
The move aligns with broader government efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat mining fraud, improve regulatory oversight, and curb illegal mineral exploitation.
The temporary suspension of selected cooperative activities is being positioned as part of a wider sector cleanup strategy aimed at improving governance and resource management within SOKIMO’s concessions.
