South Kivu’s Mineral Wealth Lost to Illicit Mining, Earning Under $1 Million Annually
South Kivu, a province rich in copper, cobalt, lithium, and other valuable minerals, generates less than $1 million annually due to widespread illicit mining activities.
This stark contrast between the province’s mineral potential and its economic output was highlighted by Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi during a recent meeting with local stakeholders.
Despite its mineral wealth, South Kivu remains one of the poorest regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a situation that Governor Purusi attributes to the illegal exploitation of its resources.
“The mining sector does not even generate $1 million per month, primarily because of illicit mining,” the governor lamented. He emphasized the urgency of finding solutions to halt the financial hemorrhage that is depriving the province of its resources.
“It is unacceptable that foreign operators are profiting from our land while our people suffer from hunger,” Purusi said, stressing the need for reforms in the mining sector to ensure that the wealth from the province’s natural resources benefits the local population and contributes to sustainable development.
In a related development, provincial authorities recently arrested three Chinese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in South Kivu.
During the operation, authorities seized nearly $800,000 in cash and a significant quantity of gold bars. The three individuals were convicted in a trial held in flagrante delicto and sentenced to seven years in prison for the illegal exploitation of minerals.
Governor Purusi’s statement underscores the province’s urgent need for effective governance and reform to harness its mineral wealth responsibly and fairly, ensuring that its people benefit from the resources beneath their feet.
