DRC: Tshisekedi steps up surveillance of mining sites to attract investors while protecting national resources
President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi expressed, during the Council of Ministers on Friday, October 18, his commitment to better regulate the presence of foreigners in the mining areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiative aims to attract foreign investors while protecting the integrity of national mineral resources.
In the report published on Sunday, October 20, the Head of State emphasized that some foreign operators are illegally operating in the country’s mining regions. Although the liberalization of the mining sector, as stipulated by the Mining Code, has opened access to both national and international economic operators, the president warned that this easing should not be interpreted as an opportunity for foreigners to act without respect for Congolese laws.
President Tshisekedi reminded that the lifting of the ban on the movement of foreigners in mining areas primarily aimed to create a favorable business climate and encourage foreign investments, which are vital for the country’s economic development. However, he firmly stated that these reforms should not be exploited to the detriment of the sovereignty and natural resources of the DRC.
To restore a balance between attracting investors and protecting national resources, the president tasked the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, along with the Minister of Mines and other relevant state services, to establish a rigorous control mechanism. This monitoring system will prevent access to mining sites for foreigners without regular residency permits or legitimate investments in the mining sector. These measures aim to ensure that only law-abiding actors benefit from the opportunities offered by the liberalization of the sector.
The involved ministers and services must submit their conclusions within one month, thus underscoring the Tshisekedi government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and security in the exploitation of the country’s mineral resources, while maintaining a conducive environment for investment.
