Mining CSR: Local Communities Are Still Waiting for the Promised Benefits
Mechanisms Still Falling Short
Eight years after the 2018 revision of the Mining Code, the mechanisms designed to ensure that local communities benefit from mining revenues are still struggling to deliver the expected results.
An analysis by researcher Fabien Mayani highlights several obstacles slowing down the implementation of community development projects in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.
A Reform That Raised Hope
The revised Mining Code introduced several tools aimed at strengthening corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Among them are community development agreements, the allocation of 0.3% of mining companies’ annual turnover, and the transfer of 14% of mining royalties to decentralized territorial entities (ETDs).
These mechanisms were expected to finance essential infrastructure such as schools, health centers, roads, and water access projects.
Persistent Delays
According to the study, one of the main problems lies in the absence of binding deadlines for certain procedures.
Negotiations over community development agreements can take several years before receiving final approval, delaying projects expected by local populations.
The 0.3% turnover allocation also faces difficulties. Although funds are available, their use is sometimes blocked because management structures have not yet been fully established.
Decentralized territorial entities also face administrative delays that complicate both the transfer and utilization of mining royalties.
Reforms Considered Necessary
The analysis recommends establishing legal deadlines for various procedures, applying penalties in cases of delay, and strengthening legal remedies available to local communities.
According to the author, the real challenge is no longer creating new financing mechanisms but ensuring that existing ones function effectively.
Without stronger governance and rigorous monitoring, resources intended for local populations risk continuing to produce limited visible impact in mining regions across the country.
MB – Mines.cd
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