The diamond sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains a key pillar of the country’s economy, contributing significantly to mining exports. In the first quarter of 2024, total combined production, both industrial and artisanal, reached an impressive 2,298,683.09 carats, according to official data provided by the Ministry of Mines.
Industrial mining, largely dominated by companies such as Minière de Bakwanga (MIBA) and Société Anhui-Congo d’Investissement Minier (SACIM), is mainly concentrated in the Kasaï-Oriental province. In the first three months of the year, MIBA produced 29,684.07 carats, while SACIM recorded a production of 642,834.44 carats. These figures demonstrate the importance of industrial mining in the overall dynamics of the sector.
At the same time, artisanal mining also plays a crucial role in the country, particularly in provinces such as Kasai, Kasai-Central and Maniema. Thanks to this activity, the DRC was able to export 1,626,164.54 carats of diamonds via comptoirs such as Amazona, Malabar, Miabi and Saga, generating significant revenues estimated at USD 13,532,969.79. This artisanal mining, although less formal, represents a real economic driver for the regions concerned.
As for total diamond exports, including both industrial and gem diamonds, they reached a volume of 1,970,188.55 carats. The main destination markets were Belgium, with 890,005.74 carats, and the United Arab Emirates, with 1,017,101.71 carats. These figures highlight the importance of international trade for the Congolese diamond sector.
Ultimately, the diamond sector in the DRC continues to play a central role in the country’s economy, both in terms of industrial and artisanal mining. It is essential to ensure responsible and sustainable exploitation of this precious resource, in order to contribute to the economic and social development of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a fair and beneficial manner for its entire population.