According to a study conducted by the Target Sarl market research firm among 1,200 people in the provincial capitals of Greater Katanga, 62% of respondents believe that the contribution of mining companies to improving the quality of life of local communities is unsatisfactory. This demonstrates that there is still work to be done for mining companies in the region in terms of social responsibility.
The study also identified the mining companies that contribute the most to increasing the province’s budget, improving the quality of infrastructure, creating jobs for young people, respecting the environment and creating business opportunities for local businesses. Mining companies should work on their image as well as on the development of local communities to improve their reputation and facilitate the smooth running of their activities.
The DRC is one of the main African mineral-producing countries, particularly in the Greater Katanga region. However, the real contribution of mining companies in improving the quality of life of local populations is called into question by this survey. Mining companies must work to strengthen their social responsibility vis-à-vis local communities to improve their image and encourage their support.
The law on the Mining Code in the DRC, promulgated in 2018, introduced innovations to allow the Congolese populations to benefit from its natural wealth. There is in particular the introduction of the specifications for mining companies and the tax on super profits. However, there is still work to be done to make the contribution of mining companies a tangible reality for local communities.