DR Congo Suspends Certain Mining Activities in South Kivu Province

According to Mining Weekly, citing Reuters, the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has ordered a three-month suspension of mining activities in parts of South Kivu province.

The ministerial decree, signed by DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba, was issued on May 22. It applies to the Mwenga and Shabunda territories and is primarily aimed at addressing illegal mining activities in these areas.

During the suspension period, a special inspection team led by the DRC's Directorate General of Mines will verify the legality of mining operations within the region.

The decree further states that the DRC seeks to curb mining fraud and illegal mining activities within the province.

In South Kivu province in eastern DRC, deposits of gold, tin ore, and high-tech minerals are predominantly extracted through artisanal mining.

Last year, the DRC banned the trade of dozens of artisanal mining products originating from conflict zones in South Kivu and North Kivu provinces, following allegations that illegally mined minerals were being used to finance armed groups in the east.

The DRC is also home to some of the world's largest reserves of cobalt, copper, and lithium.