Twangiza Mining suspends operations in DRC
Twangiza Mining, a gold extraction company based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has stopped its operations in the South Kivu Province. This development follows directives from the M23 rebel group, which now asserts administrative control over the area.
The company’s general director, Chao Xianfeng, informed staff in a notice that all work was to be suspended immediately. He added that company equipment and vehicles would be secured and kept in standby condition. This sudden halt highlights increasing instability in eastern Congo, where control over valuable mineral resources remains a key point of contention.
M23 rebel group
Eastern DRC is rich in natural resources, particularly gold, and has experienced repeated cycles of conflict over the control of mining zones. In recent months, the M23 rebel group has gained ground, with key mining territories now falling under their influence. As a result, companies operating in these areas are facing new regulatory pressures and operational uncertainty.
Manu Birato, who has been appointed as the M23-backed governor of South Kivu, stated that Twangiza Mining is expected to begin fulfilling tax responsibilities that had previously gone unpaid. According to Birato, the DRC government had received no revenue from the company’s operations, claiming that all proceeds had gone to private individuals. He clarified that the rebels did not mandate the shutdown but insisted that companies must now adhere to a stricter fiscal framework.
This shift is part of a broader trend in which armed groups attempt to assert economic control over local industries. Twangiza Mining, like many other firms in the region, is reportedly struggling to comply with the new demands, having operated for years under a system that lacked formal taxation. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has recently entered discussions with the DRC about possible investments, signaling increased international interest in the region’s mining sector despite the growing insecurity.
