**Gécamines expresses its disagreement with the ARSP on the recommendation of TFM subcontractors**
The Société Générale des Carriers et des Mines (Gécamines) recently expressed strong disagreement with the Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP/P) regarding its recommendation of around twenty of subcontracting companies to the mining company Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), of which Gécamines is a shareholder.
This opposition from Gécamines is notably motivated by the fact that it was excluded from this recommendation process, despite the existence of a transactional agreement with TFM concerning subcontracting issues. The Congolese public mining company underlines this in a letter addressed to the president of the CMOC group, shareholder of TFM.
By recommending these twenty subcontracting companies to TFM, Gécamines criticizes the ARSP for appropriating prerogatives which, according to it, should go to shareholders up to 20%. She also believes that she was not consulted during this process, just like the portfolio ministry.
The general management of Gécamines recalls that a framework for discussion was established last March with the ARSP with the aim of discussing issues related to the implementation of the law on subcontracting and its measures. application. The objective was to take these aspects into account within companies resulting from joint ventures between Gécamines and its partners.
The Congolese Business Federation also opposed the ARSP’s recommendation approach. According to her, this initiative does not promote fair competition.
To date, the ARSP has not yet given a response to this opposition, leaving a climate of disagreement and uncertainty within the Congolese mining sector. This situation raises questions about transparency and collaboration between different stakeholders, and highlights the complex issues surrounding the issue of outsourcing in this area.
It is essential that the actors involved in the mining industry in the DRC can find common ground to guarantee relations that are fair, efficient and respectful of everyone’s interests. The resolution of this dispute between Gécamines and ARSP represents a major challenge for the future of the Congolese mining sector and for the consolidation of an environment favorable to investments and economic growth in the country.