A new occupation of the concession
According to information reported by Africa Intelligence, illegal operators are said to have regained control of part of the Metalkol concession. Several security sources mention the deployment of new excavators and dozens of trucks at the site.
Images seen by the media also reportedly show the presence of Chinese nationals working under the presumed protection of FARDC soldiers or the Republican Guard. Across all of ERG’s subsidiaries in the DRC, losses linked to illegal mining are estimated by several sources at between 7 and 9 billion dollars.
The Hosanna cooperative case
The case dates back to February, with the installation of the Hosanna mining cooperative in part of the concession. It had obtained authorization to carry out the dredging and depollution of the Musonoi River and to process the metals recovered during this work.
As the area concerned lies within a Metalkol permit, this authorization had raised questions about the activities actually carried out at the site. In May, a mission by the Military Household and the General Inspectorate of the FARDC made it possible to dislodge the occupants. Around 145 heavy machines were then seized or placed under seal.
Withdrawal of the permit
On August 10, the Minister of Mines, Louis Watum, withdrew Hosanna’s mining cooperative permit. The decision was motivated in particular by the use of industrial equipment, including excavators, loaders and trucks, deemed incompatible with the artisanal nature of the operation.
The same day, the minister asked Metalkol to take urgent measures within 45 days to depollute the Musonoi River. Analyses carried out by CEEC experts had reported a health risk for the surrounding populations.
Armed men reported at the site
The situation reportedly deteriorated again on August 21. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Mines, Metalkol’s general manager, Didier Nzati, reported the intrusion of armed men in FARDC uniforms as well as people described as appearing Chinese.
According to this letter, these individuals reportedly interrupted Metalkol’s activities and abducted nine employees of a subcontracting company. This situation occurred while President Félix Tshisekedi had, during the Council of Ministers of July 10, instructed to put an end to the illegal presence of the armed forces at mining sites.
The Chengtun Congo Resources lead
Since this new intrusion, several security sources report a loss of control over part of the concession. Around fifty trucks loaded with minerals are said to transit daily from the site, without their exact destination being established.
In a letter addressed on September 14 to the Chinese embassy in the DRC, Metalkol mentioned elements likely to demonstrate that Chengtun Congo Resources (CCR) had received and processed minerals from the illegal mining of its concession. The Chinese company disputes these accusations and states that the stocks of materials located near its plant were deposited by third parties on land that does not belong to it.
The case thus remains open, while Metalkol seeks to regain control of its entire concession and the Congolese authorities are faced with the persistence of illegal mining in this strategic area of Lualaba.
Héritier Maila / AFP
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