*Fyi, fwiw, I see where the poor People of the DRC are really getting shafted by Mining Companies especially where Zijin is concerned, as
Kamoa Copper and COMMUS called upon to respect the rights of local residents
In a forty-page report published, the Initiative for Good Governance of Human Rights (IBGDH) calls on Kamoa Copper and COMMUS to end human rights abuses. Published on July 26, this report describes multiple human rights violated by these mining companies.
Thus, the NGO also invites them to repair the negative impacts suffered by local communities in the exploitation of copper and cobalt in Lualaba.
This report evaluating the impacts of the mining activities of Kamoa Copper and COMMUS (Compagnie Minière de Musonoie) focused on the cases of a few villages.
These are the villages Muvunda, Kaponda 1, Kaponda 2, Mundjendje, Israel, Tshabula, Pierre-Muteba, and Tambwe Munana. But it was also a question of some cities like the city Gécamines-Kolwezi Musonoie in the province of Lualaba.
According to IBGDH, the activities of these two mining companies violate a wide range of human rights.
These include the right to water, the right to fair compensation and the right to information.
Violations of the right to water
With regard to the right to water, for example, the inhabitants of the village of Pierre-Muteba face problems of access to drinking water and this is since the installation of COMMUS.
Whereas before, they had drinking and accessible water, but since then, they only have one well and it's on the company premises.
In the same order, in certain villages, the inhabitants are exposed to the consumption of polluted water.
This is the case of the Tshabula village bordering Kaitende.
”
The pollution of the Kaitende River by the acid spill by COMMUS. Once used by communities for domestic needs and watering the fields, the water has become unfit for consumption. The only water point developed for the supply of drinking water and whose source is in the concession of the company is very unsanitary and not maintained”, specified IBGDH.
Kamoa Copper is also indexed on violations of the right to water. ”Kamoa Copper has polluted the Mulunguishi River. It is the main source of water supply to the populations of Muvunda village.
Although the company was able to drill water wells and install cisterns, the quantities of water provided are not sufficient for the needs of the affected communities,” explains this human rights organization.
Right to fair compensation
Indeed, the mining of these two companies has impacted the lives of indigenous people.
For example, 336 houses were affected by mining operations.
Farmers have been forced to abandon fields and other sources of income. In most cases, the report reveals, communities do not receive fair compensation.
”The opacity of the process of evaluating the property to be compensated and the calculation of the compensation. Communities pointed out that there were corrupt practices within the company's master data collection teams, with arrangements being made with some agents who are members of the data collection teams.”
In addition, other violations are also noted, including “the right to an adequate standard of living. It is also the right to decent housing, the right of access to land, the right to a healthy environment,” says the IBGDH report.
Stop the attacks
According to IBGDH officials, copper and cobalt mining in Lualaba province is a danger to human rights.
The Congolese State has failed in its obligation to protect the rights of its populations against the activities of these companies.
These two companies take advantage of the weaknesses of the Congolese state, do not fully respect the rights of the communities affected by their operations.
This is why this NGO recommends that the Congolese government take action.
Thus, it urges the Ministry of Justice to conduct investigations.
It will be a question of ruling on all human rights violations related to mining in the province of Lualaba, but also to establish the responsibilities of the actors and above all, to punish the perpetrators of violations.
In addition, the government must strengthen the legal framework for human rights in the context of mining.
As for the two companies Kamoa Copper and COMMUS, they must cease all human rights violations and most importantly right the wrongs.
www.mediacongo.net
*Fyi,
Kamoa Copper Ownership Structure
Kamoa Copper S.A. is the operator of the Kamoa Copper Mining Complex, and is a joint venture between Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines (which indirectly holds 39.6%),
Chinese multinational mining company Zijin Mining Group (which indirectly holds 39.6%) and private Hong Kong-based company Crystal River Global Limited (which indirectly holds 0.8%). The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo owns the remaining shareholding of the company (20%).
Food for thought ( Chinese Zijin Pickles )