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LICOCO requests the withdrawal of mining titles from certain mining companies in the DRC due to their non-compliance with the obligations stipulated in the Mining Code. These companies failed to negotiate with local communities, sign social responsibility specifications and carry out the...
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REUTERS/Nick Oxford
CHALLENGES
“Violation of the Mining Code in the DRC: LICOCO calls for the withdrawal of mining titles from offending companies!”
17 September 2023
fatshimetrie
Title: LICOCO requests the withdrawal of mining titles due to non-compliance with the Mining Code by mining companies
Introduction :
The Congolese Anti-Corruption League (LICOCO) recently denounced the non-compliance with the provisions of the Mining Code by certain mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These companies, including Stone Mining Compagny Sarl, CDMC Sarl, AMUR Sarl and DF SA Mining Congo, entered into agreements with the mining company SAKIMA, but did not respect the obligations stipulated in these contracts. Consequently, LICOCO requests the pure and simple withdrawal of the mining titles granted to these companies.
Failure to comply with the obligations of the Mining Code:
According to LICOCO, these four mining companies failed to respect several obligations set out in the Mining Code and the mining regulations of the DRC. Among other things, they did not enter into negotiations with local communities, did not sign the social responsibility specifications, and did not carry out the necessary technical and financial feasibility studies. In addition, the operating areas that had been transferred to them by SAKIMA are inactive or occupied by artisanal mining operators, thus having serious consequences for the sustainable development of the region.
LICOCO’s recommendations:
Faced with this situation, LICOCO supports the government’s initiative to withdraw the mining titles allocated to these four companies. However, it recommends that this decision be taken through a commission set up by the Ministry of Mines, in order to evaluate the contracts of each company and officially inform them of the withdrawal of their mining titles. In addition, LICOCO encourages the government to grant these mining titles to other companies that demonstrate the technical and financial capacity necessary to develop industrial mines, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the Kivu region.
The call to civil society:
LICOCO also calls on civil society organizations to support this government initiative to request the revocation of the mining titles of companies that have not respected their environmental and social obligations, in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Code.
Conclusion :
The request for withdrawal of mining titles made by LICOCO highlights the non-compliance with the obligations of the Mining Code by certain mining companies in the DRC. This situation highlights the importance of ensuring compliance with mining regulations, in order to preserve the interests of local communities and promote sustainable development in the Congolese mining sector. It is therefore crucial that the government takes measures to rectify this situation and ensure that the country’s mineral resources are exploited responsibly and equitably.