In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities in South Kivu province announced on Friday, July 19, the suspension of all mining activities to “restore order” in the sector. On Monday, July 22, all mining sites will have to be inactive.
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This is a total suspension of activities at all sites in this province, which is rich in gold, cassiterite, coltan and other raw materials, minerals exploited mainly in an artisanal manner by companies under Congolese law, but with foreign capital, particularly Chinese.
These companies had 72 hours to withdraw, which means that next Monday, all operating sites will have to be inactive, according to the order of the new governor of the province, Jean-Jacques Purusi, in office since June.
This decision was taken on the recommendations of a commission of inquiry of the Provincial Assembly of South Kivu. The aim is to restore order in this sector to ensure the traceability of these minerals and preserve human lives.
Many conflicts revolve around this mining in the east of the DRC and therefore in South Kivu, which is plagued by violence from armed groups and various forms of trafficking with neighbouring countries, particularly Rwanda, all factors of destabilisation in the region.
The authorities are giving the operating companies an appointment for a first meeting on July 30.
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