Willy Kitobo launches media campaign to popularize revised Mining Code

Mines Minister Willy Kitobo has launched the media campaign for the revised Mining Code.

Mr Kitobo gave himself a period of two months to use the multimedia of The Congo to popularize the provisions of this mining law as the action is set to be accompanied by the publication of a marked Mining Code.

He added that the aim was to facilitate the understanding of this legal text not only by stakeholders but also by the Congolese people.

For the Congolese boss of Mines, the extension of the revised Mining Code is the “flagship” activity, chosen by his ministry for the year 2020.

“The aim is to get the parties and public opinion to take ownership of all the provisions of the revised Mining Code, its enforcement measures for a good revaluation of mineral resources,” Willy Kitobo told reporters at his office on Saturday (June 27th).

“Indeed, this action is part of the continuation of the popularization launched since last November. After this stage of raising awareness among stakeholders on the ground in the context of the dialogue, which was interrupted by the health crisis of Covid-19, there is now talk of accelerating this extension of the Mining Code through the media in order to reach even a wider audience,’’ he added.

To achieve this, a Communication Plan developed by the Department of Mines takes up targeted actions to be carried out over two months. The necessary financial resources are also available. Willy Kitobo reassures that the extension teams are ready to deploy in order to win the bet of this popularization.

The minister also explained that it was important to raise awareness as the need to simplify the understanding of provisions of the mining law.

It is a book that is intended to be educational with explanations of the spirit of the legislator of each section of the law.

This extension of the Mining Code will include the innovations it brings and the points of divergence that some of its articles raise: mining management, the management of mining titles, the tax and customs regime, the role of stakeholders in the administration of the Code, etc.

Willy Kitobo insists that “extension will help us to have the same language with operators and all stakeholders in the sector”.

The Mining Cadastre (CAMI) and the Technical Mining Coordination and Planning Unit (CTCPM) are the Ministry of Mines services involved