Artisanal miners in Wamba territory, located in Haut-Uele province, are currently at the centre of a controversy over a mining inspection mission ordered by the provincial governor. At a recent general assembly in Bolebole, these local workers expressed their firm opposition to any assessment and identification of their mining sites, stating that this can only be undertaken at the request of the miners themselves.
The president of the Wamba miners, Dieudonné Batekonde, stresses that any inspection of mining sites must be carried out in accordance with the laws in force, with the consent of the miners concerned. According to him, the initiative by the provincial authorities could potentially lead to an illegal appropriation of their mining lands, a situation already experienced by some members of the mining community in the past.
The local workers also express their concern about the possibility of a reduction in the size of their mining concessions. In response to this perceived threat, they are requesting a prior meeting with provincial authorities to clarify the objectives and implications of the planned inspection mission.
The reluctance of Wamba artisanal miners towards this mining assessment is understandable, given the economic and territorial stakes linked to their activities. Transparency and consultation between government authorities and local stakeholders appear to be essential elements in preventing conflicts and promoting responsible and sustainable mining.
Ultimately, it is crucial that the concerns of local miners are taken into consideration and that appropriate measures are put in place to ensure that the rights and interests of this community, which is important to the regional economy, are respected.