The province of Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of Congo was the scene of violent protests in May 2023, with artisanal diggers being driven from sites by armed men, apparently acting on behalf of Lebanese operators. One of the incidents saw a young woman being shot and injured. The protests blocked mining activities on the Kalakundi, Sierra and Moto-pompe mining sites, located in a mining perimeter under mining permit No. 591, belonging to the company Swanmines, operating an artisanal mining concession. . Complaints have been filed with the authorities, but the illegal operators are apparently protected by people claiming links to the presidential family. The despoiling operators even go so far as to oppose the actions of the prosecution. Persistent tensions are noted in the Congolese mining sector, particularly when mining companies face competition from artisanal or illegal companies acting in collusion with criminal elements and complicit authorities.
“Lualaba in the DRC: armed women and men sow violence in artisanal mines”
