The long-awaited agreement between the Générale des Carrières et des Mines (GECAMINES) and the Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) was recently signed, arousing the satisfaction of the ASBL Understanding and acting in the industrial and artisanal sectors (CASMIA) . In a press release made public, the citizen organization expressed its joy at this progress which will allow the EGC to realize its project of purchasing and selling cobalt.
Since its creation in 2019, the EGC, of which GECAMINES is the majority shareholder, had failed to buy and sell cobalt of artisanal origin despite the monopoly it benefits from. CASMIA therefore underlines the importance of this agreement which should allow the company to finally achieve its objectives.
However, the non-profit organization reminds the EGC of the importance of making good use of its mining sites and of carrying out an inventory in order to identify cooperatives which are not affiliated with political actors. It is essential to depoliticize the artisanal cobalt mining sector so that thousands of Congolese diggers can enjoy the fruits of their labor, according to CASMIA.
The organization also encourages artisanal miners to take ownership of the EGC project, which will allow them to operate in optimal conditions and sell their production at the real market price. In addition, it calls on buyers and refiners of cobalt of artisanal origin to respect the firm desire of the Congolese government to take control of its ore.
This agreement between GECAMINES and EGC therefore marks an important step in the cobalt sector in the DRC. It opens the way to stricter market regulation and better distribution of benefits for local players. It remains to be seen how this collaboration will unfold in the coming months and what the concrete results will be. Future advances in this area are eagerly awaited by all stakeholders.
Do not hesitate to consult the articles already published on our blog to deepen your knowledge on this fascinating subject. You will find additional information and in-depth analyzes to better understand the importance of the agreement between GECAMINES and the EGC.
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