rocknrolla
Regular
Realistic price for this? Surely if US and CATL want it, it's a 10b
AVZ Discussion 2022
- Thread starter GazDix
- Start date
Misfits
Regular
Bloody hell!!! Things must be good if Roon is showing a little positivity.
Now this article arrives on the AUSTRALIAN, not AFR, not Tom Richardson.....
Mute22
Regular
It's called 'shitpost manifesting'.
Hodlandwin69
Regular
I wonder if AVZ will get Mpiana Mwanga back in the deal. If not, how that will affect the price. That power plant was key for energy production, going to have to pay for energy or cart in diesel making it more expensive to produce and/or bigger carbon footprint
I’d have hoped for more considering there will be at least two interested parties….
I suspect China will try to get this done asap with a deal almost too good to refuse.
Frank
Top 20
Trump to the Rescue of the DR Congo: What Do We Know About the Mining Agreement Discussed Between the Two Countries?
Congolese authorities hope to reach an agreement with the Trump administration on the country's mineral resources, counting on American support in their fight against the M23 rebels and Rwandan forces leading an offensive in eastern DRC.
Preparatory discussions have begun, according to Kinshasa and Washington, although the details of the project remain very unclear.
Formal negotiations could soon begin between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a view to reaching an agreement on critical materials.
The Congolese presidency confirmed to France 24 that discussions are underway on access to the precious resources of this vast Central African country, which contains one of the largest reserves of cobalt, coltan, copper, and lithium, essential for the manufacture of advanced technologies in the fields of defense and the energy transition.
The US Department of Defense has expressed openness to a mining partnership in the DR Congo, a sector largely dominated by China, confirming that preparatory discussions have begun.
Congolese authorities hope to thus block Rwanda, a supporter of the M23 rebels, accused of plundering the country's mineral resources.
Since January, the armed group has been waging an offensive in eastern DR Congo, posing significant challenges to the Congolese army.
Congolese Authorities Extend Their Help
The possibility of such a mineral agreement was first hinted at by President Félix Tshisekedi on February 22 in an interview with the New York Times.
He called on "the United States and Europe to participate in the exploitation of the vast mineral wealth in the DR Congo," expressing his hope that "these major investments" would bring "greater security and stability to his country," the newspaper reported.
The President also indicated that the Trump administration had already expressed interest in an agreement that could guarantee a direct supply of strategic minerals from the Congo.
At the same time, an American consulting firm commissioned by Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, a close supporter of Felix Tshisekedi, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking to establish a "strategic partnership" between the two countries.
This plan proposes access to Congolese minerals, the management of a port for their export, and the establishment of a joint strategic reserve.
In return, Washington would commit to training and equipping Congolese forces and protecting "strategic resources."
This "enhanced cooperation" would even be intended to replace MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, the document states.
“Until proven otherwise, this is not an official plan,” emphasizes Jason K. Sterns, an American researcher specializing in the DR Congo.
“Some points seem unrealistic, such as the deployment of American forces on the ground, which goes against Donald Trump’s promise to bring the soldiers home.
But what is certain is that the Congolese army is in a weak position in the east, and the authorities are counting heavily on international pressure, particularly from the United States, to increase pressure on Kigali.”
Minerals for Peace?
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the possibility of an agreement with Washington raises many questions.
"This information is appearing in the American press, and we have no confirmation from the government; this is symptomatic of the governance problems in our country," laments Jean-Pierre Okenda, executive director of the Congolese NGO "The Sentinel of Natural Resources."
The mining sector expert expresses concern that negotiating an agreement dictated by the security emergency would not benefit the country's economy.
"Some here believe that the authorities are primarily seeking to protect their power.
Such an agreement should not be negotiated behind closed doors but should be submitted to Parliament because it could have a major impact on the population."
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya Katembwe stated last week that the Democratic Republic of Congo was simply seeking to diversify its partners.
For her part, the head of state's spokesperson contradicted the idea that the Democratic Republic of Congo was willing to exchange its minerals for security support.
"President Félix Tshisekedi is instead inviting the United States, whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda, which plunders them while massacring our people, to come and buy them directly from us, the true owners," declared Tina Salama on X.
Contacted by France 24, the spokesperson affirmed that the approach of Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi was a "personal initiative."
"We are seeking to stop Rwandan predation of our resources," she explained, maintaining the hope that a strategic agreement with the United States could help "stop the war."
The President's spokesperson also clarified that he had primarily addressed the Americans "because what had been hidden and maintained for 30 years has just been revealed by the Donald Trump administration."
This was a reference to the targeted US sanctions announced on February 20 against James Kabarebe, Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration, and Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23 rebellion.
"It is clear that the recent US sanctions are seen as an important step," explained Jean-Pierre Okenda.
"This is the first time that a Rwandan minister has been directly targeted."
Furthermore, this is only one level of sanctions that Washington could impose against Rwanda," he emphasizes.
In its statement of reasons detailing these sanctions, the United States describes James Kabarebe as the "liaison" between the government and the rebel group, claiming that he is also responsible for "coordinating exports" of minerals from the DRC to Rwanda.
According to UN experts, the M23 levies significant taxes on mining activities, generating approximately $800,000 per month from coltan taxation alone, in the Rubaya area, which it has controlled since May 2024.
On February 21, the Security Council unanimously approved a resolution "strongly condemning" the M23 offensive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its advances in the provinces of North and South Kivu with the support of the Rwandan Forces of Defense (FRD), the official army of the Republic of Rwanda.
Disenchantment with China
The Congolese authorities' appeals to Western powers, inviting them to invest in the mining sector, are seen as a snub to China, which alone controls between 75 and 80% of mining in the DRC, particularly in the copper and cobalt sectors.
Should this be seen as a diplomatic shift on the part of the Congolese president?
Definitely not, replies Jason K. Sterns. "Felix Tshisekedi has always tended to look towards the West; he spent a large part of his life in Belgium and was supported by the United States during his contested election in 2018," he recalls.
Since coming to power, the Congolese president has made two bilateral visits to China with the aim of developing but also rebalancing the partnership with Beijing.
In January 2024, he concluded the renegotiation of the main mining agreement with Beijing, known as the "Contract of the Century," signed in 2008, securing an increase in the DR Congo's share of mining profits and a doubling of Chinese investments in the country's infrastructure.
This announcement was far from enough to calm the anger of the Congolese people, according to Jean-Pierre Okenda.
"China has not respected the counterpart of the 2008 agreement regarding its infrastructure investments.
On the ground, there is no real engagement with local communities, and Chinese companies have no regard for workers' rights or respect for the environment," he denounced.
"Today, many of these workers believe, rightly or wrongly, that it would be preferable to deal with the United States."
American Mirage?
Inspired by the mining agreement currently under discussion between the American and Ukrainian leaders, the Congolese version has several appeals for Washington.
It could fit into Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, while thwarting the interests of his Chinese rival. But operationally, such a project presents enormous challenges, warns Jean Pierre Okenda.
"Most of the mining concessions have already been transferred to private companies in the southeast of the country, the richest region in copper, cobalt, and lithium ores.
This seems to leave little room for a large-scale agreement with the United States.
Of course, numerous exploration projects are underway, but they represent enormous investments, with no guarantees upon arrival that are unlikely to weigh heavily in the balance when it comes to obtaining emergency security assistance," he emphasizes.
Negotiations with the United States are expected to be all the more risky since no American mining company is present in the DRC. And the last experience left a bad impression.
The departure of Freeport-McMoRan caused a stir in 2016, when the company was accused of selling its assets to a Chinese firm without consulting the authorities.
Nevertheless, the United States retains a definite interest in the mineral resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This is evidenced by Joe Biden's active support for the Lobito Corridor, a rail project aimed at connecting mines in northern Zambia and southeastern DRC to the Angolan port of Lobito, to strengthen American supply and counter Chinese influence.
"American mining companies could return to the DRC as a result of ongoing discussions. But the idea that the United States could seriously compete with or even replace China is a fallacy, as it no longer possesses the industrial capacity for metal processing and refining, unlike Beijing," explains Jason K. Sterns.
Behind the scenes, however, Congolese and American officials are working hard to find common ground.
"Discussions are progressing well," the Congolese presidential spokeswoman said Tuesday, explaining that she wanted to "wait until they are concluded before revealing their content."
Tina Salama also confirmed reports that André Wameso, deputy chief of staff to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, traveled to Washington in early March with a delegation.
"Daily exchanges" are taking place with the United States, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya Katembwe explained last week.
Donald Trump, for his part, is reportedly preparing to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region, with the priority mission of studying an agreement on Congolese minerals.
France 24 / MCP, via mediacongo.net
Congolese authorities hope to reach an agreement with the Trump administration on the country's mineral resources, counting on American support in their fight against the M23 rebels and Rwandan forces leading an offensive in eastern DRC.
Preparatory discussions have begun, according to Kinshasa and Washington, although the details of the project remain very unclear.
Formal negotiations could soon begin between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a view to reaching an agreement on critical materials.
The Congolese presidency confirmed to France 24 that discussions are underway on access to the precious resources of this vast Central African country, which contains one of the largest reserves of cobalt, coltan, copper, and lithium, essential for the manufacture of advanced technologies in the fields of defense and the energy transition.
The US Department of Defense has expressed openness to a mining partnership in the DR Congo, a sector largely dominated by China, confirming that preparatory discussions have begun.
Congolese authorities hope to thus block Rwanda, a supporter of the M23 rebels, accused of plundering the country's mineral resources.
Since January, the armed group has been waging an offensive in eastern DR Congo, posing significant challenges to the Congolese army.
Congolese Authorities Extend Their Help
The possibility of such a mineral agreement was first hinted at by President Félix Tshisekedi on February 22 in an interview with the New York Times.
He called on "the United States and Europe to participate in the exploitation of the vast mineral wealth in the DR Congo," expressing his hope that "these major investments" would bring "greater security and stability to his country," the newspaper reported.
The President also indicated that the Trump administration had already expressed interest in an agreement that could guarantee a direct supply of strategic minerals from the Congo.
At the same time, an American consulting firm commissioned by Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, a close supporter of Felix Tshisekedi, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking to establish a "strategic partnership" between the two countries.
This plan proposes access to Congolese minerals, the management of a port for their export, and the establishment of a joint strategic reserve.
In return, Washington would commit to training and equipping Congolese forces and protecting "strategic resources."
This "enhanced cooperation" would even be intended to replace MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, the document states.
“Until proven otherwise, this is not an official plan,” emphasizes Jason K. Sterns, an American researcher specializing in the DR Congo.
“Some points seem unrealistic, such as the deployment of American forces on the ground, which goes against Donald Trump’s promise to bring the soldiers home.
But what is certain is that the Congolese army is in a weak position in the east, and the authorities are counting heavily on international pressure, particularly from the United States, to increase pressure on Kigali.”
Minerals for Peace?
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the possibility of an agreement with Washington raises many questions.
"This information is appearing in the American press, and we have no confirmation from the government; this is symptomatic of the governance problems in our country," laments Jean-Pierre Okenda, executive director of the Congolese NGO "The Sentinel of Natural Resources."
The mining sector expert expresses concern that negotiating an agreement dictated by the security emergency would not benefit the country's economy.
"Some here believe that the authorities are primarily seeking to protect their power.
Such an agreement should not be negotiated behind closed doors but should be submitted to Parliament because it could have a major impact on the population."
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya Katembwe stated last week that the Democratic Republic of Congo was simply seeking to diversify its partners.
For her part, the head of state's spokesperson contradicted the idea that the Democratic Republic of Congo was willing to exchange its minerals for security support.
"President Félix Tshisekedi is instead inviting the United States, whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda, which plunders them while massacring our people, to come and buy them directly from us, the true owners," declared Tina Salama on X.
Contacted by France 24, the spokesperson affirmed that the approach of Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi was a "personal initiative."
"We are seeking to stop Rwandan predation of our resources," she explained, maintaining the hope that a strategic agreement with the United States could help "stop the war."
The President's spokesperson also clarified that he had primarily addressed the Americans "because what had been hidden and maintained for 30 years has just been revealed by the Donald Trump administration."
This was a reference to the targeted US sanctions announced on February 20 against James Kabarebe, Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration, and Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23 rebellion.
"It is clear that the recent US sanctions are seen as an important step," explained Jean-Pierre Okenda.
"This is the first time that a Rwandan minister has been directly targeted."
Furthermore, this is only one level of sanctions that Washington could impose against Rwanda," he emphasizes.
In its statement of reasons detailing these sanctions, the United States describes James Kabarebe as the "liaison" between the government and the rebel group, claiming that he is also responsible for "coordinating exports" of minerals from the DRC to Rwanda.
According to UN experts, the M23 levies significant taxes on mining activities, generating approximately $800,000 per month from coltan taxation alone, in the Rubaya area, which it has controlled since May 2024.
On February 21, the Security Council unanimously approved a resolution "strongly condemning" the M23 offensive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its advances in the provinces of North and South Kivu with the support of the Rwandan Forces of Defense (FRD), the official army of the Republic of Rwanda.
Disenchantment with China
The Congolese authorities' appeals to Western powers, inviting them to invest in the mining sector, are seen as a snub to China, which alone controls between 75 and 80% of mining in the DRC, particularly in the copper and cobalt sectors.
Should this be seen as a diplomatic shift on the part of the Congolese president?
Definitely not, replies Jason K. Sterns. "Felix Tshisekedi has always tended to look towards the West; he spent a large part of his life in Belgium and was supported by the United States during his contested election in 2018," he recalls.
Since coming to power, the Congolese president has made two bilateral visits to China with the aim of developing but also rebalancing the partnership with Beijing.
In January 2024, he concluded the renegotiation of the main mining agreement with Beijing, known as the "Contract of the Century," signed in 2008, securing an increase in the DR Congo's share of mining profits and a doubling of Chinese investments in the country's infrastructure.
This announcement was far from enough to calm the anger of the Congolese people, according to Jean-Pierre Okenda.
"China has not respected the counterpart of the 2008 agreement regarding its infrastructure investments.
On the ground, there is no real engagement with local communities, and Chinese companies have no regard for workers' rights or respect for the environment," he denounced.
"Today, many of these workers believe, rightly or wrongly, that it would be preferable to deal with the United States."
American Mirage?
Inspired by the mining agreement currently under discussion between the American and Ukrainian leaders, the Congolese version has several appeals for Washington.
It could fit into Donald Trump's "America First" agenda, while thwarting the interests of his Chinese rival. But operationally, such a project presents enormous challenges, warns Jean Pierre Okenda.
"Most of the mining concessions have already been transferred to private companies in the southeast of the country, the richest region in copper, cobalt, and lithium ores.
This seems to leave little room for a large-scale agreement with the United States.
Of course, numerous exploration projects are underway, but they represent enormous investments, with no guarantees upon arrival that are unlikely to weigh heavily in the balance when it comes to obtaining emergency security assistance," he emphasizes.
Negotiations with the United States are expected to be all the more risky since no American mining company is present in the DRC. And the last experience left a bad impression.
The departure of Freeport-McMoRan caused a stir in 2016, when the company was accused of selling its assets to a Chinese firm without consulting the authorities.
Nevertheless, the United States retains a definite interest in the mineral resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This is evidenced by Joe Biden's active support for the Lobito Corridor, a rail project aimed at connecting mines in northern Zambia and southeastern DRC to the Angolan port of Lobito, to strengthen American supply and counter Chinese influence.
"American mining companies could return to the DRC as a result of ongoing discussions. But the idea that the United States could seriously compete with or even replace China is a fallacy, as it no longer possesses the industrial capacity for metal processing and refining, unlike Beijing," explains Jason K. Sterns.
Behind the scenes, however, Congolese and American officials are working hard to find common ground.
"Discussions are progressing well," the Congolese presidential spokeswoman said Tuesday, explaining that she wanted to "wait until they are concluded before revealing their content."
Tina Salama also confirmed reports that André Wameso, deputy chief of staff to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, traveled to Washington in early March with a delegation.
"Daily exchanges" are taking place with the United States, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya Katembwe explained last week.
Donald Trump, for his part, is reportedly preparing to appoint a special envoy for the Great Lakes region, with the priority mission of studying an agreement on Congolese minerals.
France 24 / MCP, via mediacongo.net
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"The DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking US protection as Rwanda backed M26 Rebels over run parts of the country "
Unless Cath can persuade the M26 Rebels to f--k off , my bet is on the USA . Felix in self preservation mode . imo
It beggars belief that the Chinese have done little to ensure safety of their assets in the DRC. You’d have thought they would have made some noise by now but I also suspect the amount of corruption they’ve undertaken is making it a bit tricky to act.
They’ve stolen a few hundred billion in resources and will just let US potentially get a lot more influence in the DRC with just a few 10s of million worth of military aid?
The Chinese support whichever government is in power, and given the frequent changes in leadership in the DRC, they are hesitant to align too closely with any single president. They know how to play the game. Everyone over there is dispensable and Felix knows this. This is self preservation for him, but great for us!
JAG
Top 20
https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/16/t...t-can-add-up-to-400km-of-range-in-10-minutes/
CATL, the Chinese battery giant and a major supplier to Tesla, has unveiled its latest product that aims to solve electric vehicles’ charging and range limitations. The battery, dubbed Shenxing or “god-like movement,” is able to refuel up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in 10 minutes, Gao Han, chief technology officer of CATL’s e-car division, said at a launch briefing on Wednesday.
That means vehicles powered by Shenxing can drive from New York to Boston (about 215 miles) after just 10 minutes of fast charging. Mass production of the battery is expected to be underway by the end of 2023, with shipping to begin in 2024.
Shenxing claims to be “the world’s first 4C superfast charging LFP battery. “LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a type of battery chemistry that Tesla widely adapted in 2021 for its shorter-range cars in place of nickel-cobalt-aluminum.
China is a big proponent of LFP, a technology spearheaded by its renewable energy darling CATL, which topped the global EV battery market with a 35% share in Q1, according to research firm SNE. This type of battery is known for its cheap prices and chemical stability, though it has a lower energy density than other battery chemistries, which is a drag on EVs’ range.
CATL’s extraordinary growth has been buoyed by an EV boom in China over the last few years. But the EV industry is decelerating as government subsidies shrink and consumption contracts amid a post-COVID economic downturn. Meanwhile, the Fujian-based battery manufacturers face heated competition from BYD, the Chinese EV giant that also makes its own battery. In Q1, BYD trailed CATL in second place with a 16.2% share of the global EV battery market.
CATL, the Chinese battery giant and a major supplier to Tesla, has unveiled its latest product that aims to solve electric vehicles’ charging and range limitations. The battery, dubbed Shenxing or “god-like movement,” is able to refuel up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in 10 minutes, Gao Han, chief technology officer of CATL’s e-car division, said at a launch briefing on Wednesday.
That means vehicles powered by Shenxing can drive from New York to Boston (about 215 miles) after just 10 minutes of fast charging. Mass production of the battery is expected to be underway by the end of 2023, with shipping to begin in 2024.
Shenxing claims to be “the world’s first 4C superfast charging LFP battery. “LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a type of battery chemistry that Tesla widely adapted in 2021 for its shorter-range cars in place of nickel-cobalt-aluminum.
China is a big proponent of LFP, a technology spearheaded by its renewable energy darling CATL, which topped the global EV battery market with a 35% share in Q1, according to research firm SNE. This type of battery is known for its cheap prices and chemical stability, though it has a lower energy density than other battery chemistries, which is a drag on EVs’ range.
CATL’s extraordinary growth has been buoyed by an EV boom in China over the last few years. But the EV industry is decelerating as government subsidies shrink and consumption contracts amid a post-COVID economic downturn. Meanwhile, the Fujian-based battery manufacturers face heated competition from BYD, the Chinese EV giant that also makes its own battery. In Q1, BYD trailed CATL in second place with a 16.2% share of the global EV battery market.
cruiser51
Top 20
How do you know the Chinese are idle?
I would say the activities of the Chinese, anywhere in the world, are only advertised, if it suits them.
But assuming that the Chinese are sitting on their hands, watching the situation from the side lines, is not something I would do.
They highly likely are busy undermining Felix, especially now he has run crying to Trump and offering him all the minerals he wants.
It is not something the Chinese, after giving Felix the red carpet treatment and a corrective snub for not kissing Xi's ring the way Xi wanted, find amusing.
I would not be too surprised, if Kabila hand in hand with the Chinese are extremely active to make Felix disappear quick smart.
Looking at what has been happening in the DRC, I would say the Tshisekedi clan has become too greedy to the liking of the Chinese masters.
And because Felix has not been able to listen to the kind, gentle hints of his Chinese masters, his time has come for a spell. (spill?)
IMO
Interesting take and I’m sure there is some merit to it. I guess my point was more on why did Felix buddy up with US and not China? Hence my comment that China has done little - at least publicly. It seems there might be some communication breakdown with Felix and Xi …
But I take the point in another post that China doesn’t really get too involved with politics in that sense. They just wanna keep giving bags out and corrupting everyone. So probably can’t be relied upon compared to the US in this type of intervention.
Things must be good if you returned to the flock too.
Good to see you again.
Good to see @JAG still alive and kicking.
Good luck to us all.
cruiser51
Top 20
DR Congo: The Tshisekedi Family is Looting Katanga Dry
written by Editorial March 3, 202512:19 am
Katanga is nothing but a huge mining pit
Miners denounce the systematic looting of their province’s vast resources.
After several weeks of negotiations, a meeting was arranged. Several members of Katangan civil society, labor unions, and mining cooperatives agreed to testify in a secret location. They denounce the plundering that their provinces are subjected to, primarily Haut-Katanga (Lubumbashi) and Lualaba (Kolwezi), which were split from the larger Grand Katanga region in 2015.
Speaking out is dangerous in this country. “There’s a real crackdown led by the military and security agents, mostly from Kasai, against those who break the silence,” explains one of our sources, adding: “It must be said that illegal mining brings colossal sums to the presidential family and unscrupulous entrepreneurs.”
“Enough is enough,” says a leader of a mining cooperative in Lualaba, whose artisanal mining zone (ZEA) was seized by Christian Tshisekedi, described as the most present member of the presidential family in this province.
“Since 2019, things have significantly worsened. Katanga has become the cash cow for the presidential family, which siphons off the wealth of our provinces, especially Lualaba, but invests nothing,” explains one of our interlocutors.
According to the new mining code, more money should have gone into provincial coffers. “But almost nothing has been done, while the presidential clan, with its many frontmen and partners, mainly Chinese but also Lebanese or Indian, pockets tens of millions of dollars each month by pillaging tailings and waste rock that mostly belong to Gécamines (the successor to the Union Minière du Haut Katanga, a company that is 100% owned by the Congolese state) and private companies like ERG, a partner of Gécamines,” he continues.
Unwelcome largesse
“Under Governor Katumbi, copper production was lower, international market prices were less favorable, and there was less cross-border trade, yet investments were numerous,” asserts a Gécamines unionist. “Today, with the advantages brought by the 2018 mining code and investments moving into production phases, governors have far more means, but nothing is being done. If we ask where the money goes, the answer is simple: everyone comes to take their share in Lubumbashi and Kolwezi. National ministers regularly visit our provinces just to collect their envelope.” And he points particularly at the national Defense Minister or Interior Minister who “rushed here upon their appointments. They don’t come for sightseeing or to encourage us; they come to take their cut.”
RDC: Kabila – Katumbi meet over “risks of power drifts in Congo”
The new mining code stipulated that revenues exceeding a billion dollars since 2018 in Lualaba should be pre-allocated to community infrastructure projects. “But the new government quickly issued a decree to circumvent this obligation. Now, these revenues go into a common account of the governorate, creating ambiguity about where the funds are going, which rarely serve Katangan interests,” continues one of our experts, highlighting “the Excellence Fund. A structure financed by funds from Haut-Katanga and Lualaba and managed by the wife of the President. The goal of this fund is certainly commendable, but it is a private initiative drawing from our provincial treasuries. There’s also the famous National Fund for Reparations to Victims of Sexual Violence (Fonarev), whose sole purpose is to divert 11% of mining royalties. It too is managed by the Belgian wife of the Congolese Head of State.”
$320 billion!
While the use of these revenues raises questions, experts emphasize what they call the “illegal seizure of numerous Gécamines tailings and others.”
“Tailings are deposits of extracted minerals classified according to their copper and cobalt content and stored for future use,” explains one of them.
These tailings often accumulated around mines. They usually contained lower-grade ores which, today, thanks to technological advancements, hold real treasures. “Gécamines has an accurate cadastre of these tailings and their copper and cobalt content. The big advantage of these tailings is that no further exploration or excavation work is needed; you just load the ore onto trucks and bring it to a plant for processing. It’s very easy money,” he explains further, armed with a table listing all these tailings and waste rocks along with staggering figures. Tailings pile 401, for example, contains 90 million tons of copper ore. Pile 611 shows 71 million tons. The price per ton of copper, steadily rising for years, is now nearing $9,000. “Do the math, these are unimaginable numbers. With current techniques, experts at Gécamines estimate that these tailings and waste rocks can produce 298 million tons of copper metal and over 1.9 million tons of cobalt. At current rates, the total value of these assets could reach $320 billion currently under threat of looting by the Tshisekedi family.”
RDC: Tshisekedi’s Congo sinks deeper into security and political crisis
Indeed, according to several organizations of Katangan civil society, numerous tailings are now being exploited illegally by members and associates of the presidential family, often in collaboration with Chinese intermediaries. A list of these illegally seized tailings has been compiled by these Katangan NGOs. “The Katangans are tired of this situation; they are starting to speak out, disseminating evidence of the actions of members of the presidential family, some generals, and certain ministers. These individuals can count on the support of the Republican Guard (GR), an elite unit that reports directly to the President. Today, these GRs are present on many mining sites. They first evicted previous occupants and now ensure security so that the theft of our riches can proceed peacefully,” recounts one expert. “Sometimes, these Chinese, Lebanese, or Indians just need to make a phone call to General Christian Ndaywell (of Belgian nationality) or someone close to the president. They put down a sum, minimum $20 million, and they get the right to exploit a tailing worth at least ten times that amount. It just takes a phone call and a large briefcase of cash. It’s the wild west. An absolute state of lawlessness, to the point that some people don’t hesitate to extract uranium-rich ores, as profitable as they are dangerous. Several organizations have raised the alarm. Uranium is mined at night for Chinese clients; some even mention North Koreans operating from Zambia on the other side of the border with Katanga,” continues one of our interlocutors.
An accurate cadastre of these tailings and their contents was made about twenty years ago. “So, when the time comes, it will be possible to tally what has been stolen by these people,” assures one of our interlocutors, document in hand. “In addition to the tailings, this family has monopolized almost all subcontracting activities, generating annual revenue of $10 billion. Their newly created companies are the only ones recommended by Miguel Katemb, the general director of ARSP, the president’s man who awards them parts of the subcontracting market at the expense of locals.”
Self-determination
By exploiting the tailings, “war chests” of Gécamines (even though some private companies are also affected by this scourge), the perpetrators of this fraud are pushing the state-owned enterprise, which still employs 9,000 people, toward the abyss. “Everything is being done to dismantle Gécamines. Geological studies have shown that there are also copper reserves in the Kasaï soil, but it apparently doesn’t interest Kinshasa. The current power seems intent on bringing Katanga to its knees. So, why remain united if this union costs us so dearly,” continues an expert who quietly mentions a desire for self-determination. “Katanga receives nothing in exchange for this plunder. Lualaba has no roads, no hospitals, no infrastructure, and yet we are the province that still sustains the State while enriching the presidential clan.” Some structures of Katanga civil society no longer hide that they are “closely monitoring” the progress of antigovernment troops further north. “Corneille Nangaa, the boss of AFC/M23 talks about setting up a federal state,” explains a member of the Lualaba civil society, particularly upset about the illegal over-exploitation of his province’s riches. “These mines are exhaustible. We cannot accept this plunder that jeopardizes the future of our children for the benefit of a single family. In the not-so-distant future, if we don’t stop this nightmare, Lualaba will be nothing more than a huge polluted hole. Meanwhile, those who pillage us today will live in palaces and travel in private jets. These people, who still hold Belgian nationality, lived in precarious conditions or on social assistance back home. In less than seven years, they’ve built colossal fortunes by plundering our resources.”
Complaint soon to be filed in Belgium
Facing this plunder, Gécamines unionists and members of civil society have contacted Me Bernard Maingain, a lawyer at the Brussels Bar. “I am indeed involved in filing a complaint regarding predations in the mining sector in DRC,” he explains; “My clients complain about predations carried out by various economic operators, primarily Chinese, but also members of the immediate family of President Félix Tshisekedi.”
New complaint in Belgium against General Ndaywell. A minister in the Tshisekedi government is also targeted
As part of this complaint, the Brussels law firm is collaborating with a coalition of Congolese lawyers in formation. “We plan to file complaints both in DRC and in Belgium, given that the concerned family members also hold Belgian nationality.”
“Based on the information I have, the amounts involved are colossal. These are offenses of corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering. We obviously stress the presumption of innocence,” Maingain continues, emphasizing the “social consequences of these criminal practices, tragic for the workers in the Katanga mining sector. We’re talking about wage cuts, dismissals of accident victims, and non-compliance with collective agreements in this industry. In fact, the only ones who gain nothing from what can be presented as a plundering are the workers and their families. I’m also surprised that this disastrous human situation escapes the radar of certain personalities who claim to be progressive in Belgium.”
EDITOR: This article a full translation from what was originally in French, published by La Libre, Belgium.
Maybe this article helps to understand Felix actions a little.
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