Congo Announces Start of Extensive Investigation into Illegal Mining Activities

SadaNews - The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced the commencement of an official extensive investigation into illegal mining activities on lands owned by international mining companies, following a report that uncovered a network organized for the trade of minerals in the black market, believed to include elements from the police and the presidential guard.

Congolese Justice Minister Guillaume Ngaba ordered the judiciary and the military audit office to initiate an investigation into the fraud and illegal activities.

This follows a report from the National Anti-Fraud Commission, which indicated that illegal miners regularly infiltrate mining sites belonging to the Swiss company Glencore and the London-based Eurasian Resources Group.

According to the Agence France-Presse, which reviewed the report, these illegal miners who have invaded cobalt mines in the Lualaba province in the southeast of the country use heavy equipment and operate under the protection of armed individuals in uniform.

Smuggling Operations

The report revealed an organized smuggling scheme involving government entities and individuals from the police and army, particularly elements from the presidential guard, resulting in significant financial losses for the companies.

In this context, the new report noted that Chinese and Lebanese nationals are implicated in this illegal activity that harms the interests of the country and the companies operating within it.

The Justice Minister stated in a statement that the opening of the investigation reflects the government's policy of zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, and the looting of national resources, committing to hold all those involved accountable, regardless of their positions or nationalities.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the richest countries in the world in natural resources, especially cobalt, copper, and rare minerals, but it suffers from extreme poverty and chronic conflicts in its resource-rich eastern regions.

Source: French Agency