Thousands of artisanal miners in the province of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrated on September 13 to protest against the encroachment of their mining areas by the Canadian company Shakima. This decision by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette Nsamba, sparked indignation and concern among mining cooperatives, civil society and residents of the region.
The protesters expressed their opposition to the presence of the Shakima T3 company in the mining area where they have been working for a long time. They fear the harmful consequences on the population and human rights. The mining cooperatives sent a memorandum to the Head of State to express their concerns and request a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The provincial minister of mines and hydrocarbons, Koko Cirimwami, admitted that the Shakima company had obtained a permit to operate small mines without informing mining cooperatives and local artisans. He assured that a dialogue would be initiated between the two parties to find a satisfactory solution.
The Kalimbi mining site, in Kalehe territory, is considered a pilot site for the international traceability of minerals. It is essential to preserve social peace and guarantee the rights of local populations while promoting responsible mining.
This demonstration takes place in a context where contracts for the exploitation of 3T minerals in eastern DRC are the subject of intense debates between the government and mining companies. It is crucial to find a balance between economic development and protection of the rights of local communities in these natural resource-rich regions.
In conclusion, the demonstrations by artisanal miners in Kalimbi highlight the challenges facing mining stakeholders in the DRC. It is essential to promote responsible exploitation of natural resources while preserving the rights of local communities. Open and transparent dialogue between all stakeholders is necessary to find lasting and peaceful solutions.