DRC: South Kivu authorities suspend the activities of nine mining companies
Miners in an open pit mine in eastern DRC (illustrative image).
AFP - GRIFF TAPPER
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
In the east of the country, nine mining companies, including six Chinese, have been temporarily suspended by provincial authorities.
According to the governor of the province of South Kivu, the aim is to restore order in the gold mining industry.
Particularly in the territory of Mwenga, which was the scene of tensions between local communities and foreign operators active in the exploitation of gold.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Patient Ligodi
According to the governor of South Kivu, many foreign companies working in the province are operating illegally.
In any case, this is what emerges from an internal report.
Some companies have been established in the province for several years.
"
They land in our province just with a research permit
," notes the governor of South Kivu, Théo Ngwabidje Kasi.
And once there, they illegally operate our mines.
"
Still according to the governor, some companies have claimed to come to support local mining cooperatives.
But today they are in semi-industrial production.
Local communities also complain about cases of river pollution.
The governor hopes that the conclusions of this report will allow the justice system to take up certain cases and to clean up this sector.
This control operation should soon extend to the territories of Shabunda, Fizi and Kalehe.
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