Chinese gold mining company TSM recently made the decision to close its operations and leave the village of Tulonge, located south of Misisi, in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision follows the recurring unrest caused by attacks by Mai-Mai militia against the operating sites of this Chinese mining company.
The latest attack by the Mai-Mai Yakutumba group against the Chinese camp unfortunately resulted in the death of four people, including two soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and two Chinese citizens. Four individuals were also seriously injured, including two Ghanaian citizens, a Chinese citizen and their Congolese interpreter. The attackers also took away valuable property, including a quantity of gold as well as migration documents.
Faced with this worrying situation and the growing security risk, the Chinese gold company had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the region. However, part of its staff remained on site in Tulonge. This raises concerns about the situation of local workers and the economic impact of this withdrawal for the Fizi region.
The administrator of the Fizi territory, Samy Kalonji, expresses his concern about the activism of local armed groups operating on the border between Fizi and Kabambare, in the province of Maniema. He calls for joint action by MONUSCO and the Defense Forces to investigate the situation and deter these attacks which harm the stability of the region and discourage foreign investors.
Unfortunately, this situation is not an isolated case. A few years ago, another gold mining company, BANRO, was also forced to close its operations in the region for similar reasons. Additionally, international non-governmental organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, have also had to leave the region due to security concerns.
These events highlight the challenges faced by foreign investors and local workers in mining regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Measures must be taken to ensure the security of all parties involved and promote an environment favorable to investment and economic development.
In conclusion, the cessation of activities of the Chinese gold mining company TSM in the village of Tulonge is a direct consequence of repeated attacks by Mai-Mai militiamen. This situation raises concerns about the stability of the region and the impact on the local economy. Steps must be taken to ensure safety and encourage investment in these high-risk mining areas.