The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country with abundant natural resources. Yet it is considered the 8th poorest country on the planet. Cobalt, of which the DRC has ample access (70% of known world reserves), is a highly prized metal for the design of lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars and other technological equipment. Despite this wealth, the country has not been able to effectively exploit this resource as many illegal miners are harming the market.
The country must change its methods to exploit Cobalt efficiently. To remedy this, Kinshasa has appealed to large mining multinationals such as CMOC. The latter bring their know-how, contribute to the economic development of remote regions, but above all guarantee compliance with international standards by offering decent working conditions to employees. Indeed, illegal miners do not care to guarantee the rights of their employees and encourage corruption in the Cobalt trade.
The suspension of the exploitation of the Mutanda mine by the Swiss giant Glencore in 2019 had disastrous consequences on the economy of the country which remained dependent on the vagaries of the market and the sector. Therefore, the DRC needs the support of large multinationals to supervise artisanal miners by ensuring a healthy working environment.
Multinational mining companies are bringing a big change in the lives of Congolese people. They build clinics, maternities and fight against communicable diseases such as malaria and HIV. They also promote the development of the local economy, for example by building schools to raise awareness among future generations and by replanting trees to preserve the ecosystem. Multinationals play a major role in sustainable development and move towards a more responsible and equitable mining model.
In conclusion, for the Democratic Republic of Congo to stop being considered a “geological miracle” that is useless, it must rethink its development strategy. To achieve this, it needs the support of large multinational mining companies to efficiently exploit Cobalt and other natural resources, guarantee the well-being of employees and curb the illegal exploitation of mines by artisanal diggers.