How to solve the problem of environmental pollution in mining areas?
The Minister of Mines, @anskalambayi was this Thursday, June 01, 2023 facing the Honorable Senators, members of the Natural Resources Committee of the Upper House.
It all started with the letter of May 3 from the President of the Senate Modeste Bahati Lukwebo in which he invited the Minister of Mines to enhance her presence for a working session with her peers in the upper house on the following concerns :
- Environmental pollution in mining areas and the implementation of certain instruments of Law No. 11/009 on fundamental principles relating to the protection of the environment, as amended and supplemented to date;
- The review of the recommendations of the Senate formulated previously at the expense of the Ministry of Mines;
NB: These are the questions that were debated this Thursday, June 01, 2023 during a rich working session at the Senate's Natural Resources Committee, between the Minister of Mines Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi and the honorable senators who are members of the said committee.
Responding to their questions on the question relating to pollution, the boss of the Congolese mines reassured her interlocutors from the outset by thanking them and encouraging them for this highly commendable initiative.
For the Minister, mining activities are among the activities likely to cause environmental damage.
Any mining activity, mainly the exploitation or processing of mineral substances, leads to the degradation of the environment.
Indeed, mining research and exploitation involves deforestation, weeding, holes, disturbance of waterways, etc....
This is why the Mining Regulations contain standards and guidelines for respecting and protecting the environment.
Exceeding the tolerated thresholds of said standards or failure to comply with the Directives may lead to pollution.
However, it should be noted that in the mining sector, this pollution is not only established by observation in the event of exceeding the standards or non-compliance with the directives provided for by the Mining Regulations but, it must also be demonstrated during investigations; and this, to establish responsibilities, implement elimination, limitation and mitigation measures as well as, if necessary, apply sanctions.
To be continued !
*To Remind Minister of Mines Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi
