The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially lifted the suspension on mining activities in its South Kivu province, with the exception of gold extraction. The region’s governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, announced this decision after a recent meeting with key mining operators, marking a significant shift in the province’s approach to managing its mineral resources.
South Kivu, located in the eastern part of Congo, is rich in valuable minerals such as tin ore cassiterite, coltan, and gold. These resources, particularly gold, are predominantly extracted by “artisanal” miners. These miners use rudimentary methods to extract minerals, contributing to a sector that is often chaotic and poorly regulated. The province’s mineral wealth has long been a double-edged sword—while it holds the potential for significant economic benefits, it has also fueled conflict and instability in the region.
In July, Governor Sadiki took the drastic step of suspending all mining activities across South Kivu. He ordered companies and individual operators to cease operations and vacate mining sites. The governor justified this move by citing “disorder caused by the mining operators,” though he did not provide detailed explanations at the time. The suspension was seen as an attempt to address the growing issues within the mining sector, which has been marred by illegal practices, smuggling, and conflicts over resources.
The decision to suspend mining activities was met with mixed reactions. While some viewed it as a necessary measure to restore order, others were concerned about the economic impact on the province, where many people depend on mining for their livelihoods. The suspension also highlighted the challenges faced by the Congolese government in regulating a sector that is both vital to the economy and fraught with problems.
After weeks of consultations and discussions with mining operators, the South Kivu government decided to lift the suspension, allowing most mining activities to resume. However, gold extraction remains halted due to ongoing concerns about smuggling and the underreporting of production. The governor’s office emphasized that this exception is crucial for addressing the persistent issues in the gold mining sector, which is notorious for its lack of transparency and the illicit flow of precious metals into global markets.
Gold mining in Congo, especially in regions like South Kivu, is often linked to smuggling operations that funnel the precious metal through neighboring countries, bypassing official channels and depriving the Congolese government of valuable revenue. This illegal trade is facilitated by the porous borders of the eastern provinces, where armed groups and corrupt officials exploit the region’s instability to profit from the mineral wealth. As a result, Congo’s gold production is significantly underreported, complicating efforts to regulate the industry and ensure that it contributes to the country’s development.
The lifting of the mining suspension, excluding gold, is part of a broader strategy by the South Kivu government to reform the mining sector. Governor Sadiki’s administration aims to transform mining into a genuine driver of stability, wealth creation, and socio-economic development for the province. To achieve this, the government has called on mining cooperatives, companies, and gold-buying outlets to regularize their operations with the tax authorities. By doing so, the government hopes to create a more transparent and accountable mining sector that can benefit all stakeholders, from local communities to the national economy.
The resumption of mining activities, albeit with the exclusion of gold, is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the local economy. Mining is a major source of income for many people in South Kivu, and the suspension had caused significant economic disruptions. With the lifting of the suspension, miners can return to work, and the flow of minerals can resume, potentially increasing revenue for both local communities and the provincial government.
