Tshisekedi Condemns Toxic Spill by Congo Dongfang Mining in Lubumbashi
Lubumbashi Environmental Disaster: DRC President Tshisekedi Demands Accountability for Congo Dongfang Mining Toxic Spill
President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has expressed “very high concern” over a major environmental incident in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, involving a toxic effluent spill by Congo Dongfang Mining (CDM). The statement was made during the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, November 14, 2025, in Kinshasa.
According to preliminary reports, CDM allegedly failed to meet several environmental obligations, resulting in widespread contamination of water, soil, and the local ecosystem.
The incident has particularly affected residents of the Kasapa district in the Annexe commune, causing significant human, material, and environmental damage.
Images and field reports reveal widespread pollution of living areas, destruction of local flora and fauna, and contamination of waterways, severely disrupting daily life and prompting community outrage.
“These are irresponsible acts that violate national environmental laws and mining sector standards,” President Tshisekedi stated, condemning the company’s actions in the strongest possible terms.
The President praised precautionary measures already implemented by the Ministry of Mines and ordered a clear determination of responsibilities to ensure those accountable face legal consequences.
He emphasized that full reparations must be made to affected populations, asserting that community protection remains a top priority for the extractive sector.
President Tshisekedi further stressed that respect for environmental regulations is a legal, regulatory, and moral obligation, central to the DRC’s vision of sustainable and responsible development.
In line with this, the Ministers of Environment and Mines have been instructed to strengthen monitoring and coordination of technical services to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of communities and natural resources.
The government has also mandated a thorough impact assessment to evaluate the extent of environmental and social damage and to propose sustainable solutions for affected communities. A detailed report on the implementation of these instructions is expected within fifteen days, according to the Council of Ministers’ minutes.
