Ventora Group Challenges “Congo Is Not for Sale” Report on Mutanda Mine Over Factual Inaccuracies
Ventora Group Refutes CNPAV Report on Mutanda Mine, Citing Inaccuracies and Omitted Evidence
The Ventora Group has publicly rejected the findings of a recent report released by the “Congo Is Not for Sale” (CNPAV) coalition, which scrutinizes the sale of the Mutanda mining project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a press release dated August 1, 2025, Ventora criticized the report’s credibility, citing “serious factual inaccuracies” and “methodological flaws.”
“We categorically reject its conclusions and are concerned about its lack of rigor and transparency,” the group stated.
Ventora raised several key issues with the CNPAV report:
Reliance on Past Publications:
The report is said to lean heavily on prior CNPAV publications rather than on independently sourced, verifiable data.
Most notably, Ventora pointed out that the report ignores a professional valuation conducted by BNP Paribas on April 2, 2010, commissioned by Gécamines.
This document, according to Ventora, confirms that the asset sale was conducted transparently and at a price higher than the bank’s official valuation.
Ventora alleges that the CNPAV failed to consult with critical stakeholders or respond to its request for clarification before publishing the report—an omission that, the group says, undermines the credibility and objectivity of the findings.
“The selective use of data, unsupported assumptions, and failure to engage with relevant parties suggest a biased narrative rather than an objective analysis,” the company noted.
Ventora defended the Mutanda Mining Project as a major success story for the DRC’s mining industry. Describing it as a cornerstone of the country’s copper and cobalt sector, the group emphasized the following achievements:
Billions invested in infrastructure and production development
Thousands of direct and indirect jobs created
Over $1 billion contributed in taxes to the Congolese treasury, helping to fund public services and national development
The project’s role in helping the DRC become the world’s leading cobalt producer, positioning it as a critical player in the global clean energy transition
Ventora expressed concern that “unverified allegations” such as those in the CNPAV report could derail constructive partnerships and distract from efforts to foster inclusive economic development in the DRC.
“At a crucial time for the DRC’s economic development, such unverified allegations risk distracting from productive collaboration,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and responsible business practices, Ventora encouraged stakeholders to base judgments on verified information.
“We urge stakeholders to view CNPAV’s claims with skepticism and prioritize reliable evidence over unsubstantiated allegations.
The DRC is at a critical juncture, with historic agreements that have the potential to unlock growth and opportunity,” the company concluded.
Ventora and its affiliated businessman Dan Gertler reiterated their dedication to being long-term partners of the Congolese people, emphasizing their continued support for a more prosperous and sustainable future for the country.
