Mining resumes in South Kivu
Mining activities have resumed in the South Kivu province. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reinstated operations after a suspension was imposed last month due to disorder at mining sites.
The suspension was originally ordered in July 2024 by the region’s governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, due to the disorder caused by mining operators. Sadiki had mandated that all companies, businesses, and cooperatives vacate the mining sites within 72 hours.
Following discussions with mining operators, the suspension was lifted. However, the reinstatement notably excludes gold extraction. . Cooperatives, mining companies, and gold-buying outlets are now encouraged to settle their affairs with the tax authorities.
Mining potential
The DRC has substantial untapped gold, cobalt, and high-grade copper reserves, but equally significant security risks accentuated by a lack of robust infrastructure. Cobalt, one of the key metals to produce electric vehicles, places the DRC in a strategic position for the energy transition.
The country boasts some of the highest quality copper reserves globally, with some of the mines estimated to contain grades above 3 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 0.6 – 0.8 percent.
To support mining in the country, Buenassa, a privately held Congolese company, plans to invest $350 million (CnFr1trn) in constructing a copper-cobalt smelter in the DRC. This project, supported by the government, aims to formalize artisanal mining in the country. Financial consulting firm Delphos International has been engaged to help secure the necessary funding for the project.
