Mining enforcement operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have sparked protests in the copper and cobalt hub of Kolwezi, amid a wider crackdown on suspected illegal mining.
Artisanal miners protested on 19 October against inspections at mineral buying centres and processing facilities, which they say restricted their ability to sell ore, local broadcaster Radio Okapi reported.
The demonstrations disrupted traffic and commercial activity, with witnesses reporting burning tyres, stone-throwing, and police use of tear gas.
Separately, Bloomberg reported on 16 October that about 300 Chinese nationals had been detained in the DRC’s copper belt, mainly around Kolwezi, citing people familiar with the operation.
Those detained were suspected of mining on concessions held by other companies.
According to Bloomberg, agents from the DRC’s National Security Council and Directorate General of Migration (DGM) participated in the detentions.
The number still in custody and whether formal charges have been filed remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Lualaba provincial authorities have established a commission to examine mineral transport documents. Local outlet Actualite.cd reported that security services intercepted hundreds of trucks carrying copper and cobalt for documentation checks.
Kolwezi is a major copper and cobalt mining centre, hosting Zijin Mining’s (HKG:2899) Kolwezi Copper Mine and Glencore’s (ASX:GLC) Kamoto Copper Company operations.
About 25km west of the city, Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) and Zijin jointly operate the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, one of the region’s largest copper operations.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: DRC’s Directorate General of Migration
