DRC takes decisive action by revoking the mining permits of Acacia and Kwango Mines

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is making progress in reclaiming its mining rights, as evidenced by the recent revocation of mining permits held by Acacia and Kwango Mines. This decisive action is part of a larger initiative to clean up the country’s mining registry, targeting non-compliance amid ongoing illegal mining activities in various regions.

Showcasing the government’s commitment to regulatory adherence, the Ministry of Mines has revoked permits from both companies due to their failure to pay annual surface fees as required by current mining legislation. Collectively, Acacia and Kwango Mines held 90 mining titles that cover an extensive area of 15,029 permit blocks across several provinces, including Kwango, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, Kongo Central, and Kasai, amounting to a staggering 12,767.5 square kilometres, an area larger than that of the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.

Specifically, Kwango Mines controlled 47 titles covering 5,282.5 square kilometres, while Acacia managed 43 titles that spanned 7,485 square kilometres. These permits, essential for the extraction of important minerals such as gold, diamonds, and bauxite, are now under the government’s rigorous compliance checks.

The revocation of these permits is part of a broader campaign initiated by the DRC’s state-run mining administration, the Cadastre Minier (CAMI), aimed at recovering inactive or non-compliant mining permits. Over the past three years, CAMI has successfully reclaimed more than 50,000 square kilometres of mining areas through thorough reviews of permit validity, compliance with payment obligations, and adherence to developmental timelines.

This latest crackdown follows an official warning issued by CAMI in April, which highlighted that several annual surface fee payments for the 2026 fiscal year had not been recorded. Companies were informed they had 45 days to address these discrepancies or risk losing their licenses entirely, underscoring the government’s intent to maintain stringent oversight of the mining sector.

As the DRC moves forward, the government’s assertive stance signals a significant shift in the management of its vast mineral wealth, aiming to enhance accountability and maximise revenue from one of Africa’s richest natural resource havens.