Coronavirus: the mining sector almost stopped in the DRC
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The mining sector, the main provider of the national economy, is experiencing a slowdown in its activities. Some companies have seen their production reduced, others have simply suspended activities and put on technical leave hundreds of workers.
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Read moreWith our correspondent in Kinshasa, Denise Maheho
The negative impact of the coronavirus is already being felt in the mining sector of the DRC, says the vice-president of the Chamber of Mines in the former Katanga region. This is notably the consequence of the slowdown in the Chinese economy, as John Kanyoni, vice-president of the Chamber of Mines in Lubumbashi, explains. " If I have to consider the ex-Katanga, the big capital today is essentially Chinese," he recalls. The economic slowdown in China has had an impact on our sector. And unfortunately, we have experienced a drastic fall in commodity prices in recent months, we have also experienced a slowdown in terms of potential investment. "
The Ministry of Mines fears a drop in production in 2020 with a negative impact on mining revenues. To date, a company like Mutanda Mining, a subsidiary of Glencore, has stopped and is experiencing a delay in the supply of equipment for the construction of its new acid plant. Sicomines, Kamoa Copper and others have quarantined their copper and cobalt mines, said the NRG Institute report of April 30.
Social consequences
Other social consequences are recorded, also notes Freddy Kasongo, of the Observatory for studies and support for social and environmental responsibility (OARSE), working in the mining sector. " On the ground, it is noted the reduction of the production chain of certain companies with social consequences, in particular the reduction of direct and indirect jobs and the slowdown of the informal economies which develop around the mines ", he analyzes .
For the moment, the statistics of deleted jobs are not available. But to prevent the mining sector from further sinking, the miners are demanding from the Congolese government tax breaks.
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