In the heart of Greater Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mining industry is a prominent sector attracting attention. Recent data released at the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report event in Lubumbashi revealed that a total of 1,298 mining rights have been granted to companies operating in this resource-rich region between 2000 and 2022. This data underscores the significant scale and importance of mining activities in Greater Katanga, with various provinces benefiting from the industry. Haut-Katanga province leads with 591 mining rights, followed by Lualaba (432), Haut-Lomami (86), and Tanganyika (189).
The report from the EITI workshop also sheds light on the mining, hydrocarbons, and forestry sectors. More than 300 mining contracts have been disclosed up to February 2023, with additional contracts reported until November of the same year. The hydrocarbons and forestry sectors have also recorded several contracts, emphasizing the region’s extractive diversity.
Franck Nzira, an EITI expert, highlighted the challenges faced during the report’s development, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, the EITI-DRC 2020-2021 report has aimed to uphold transparency standards, providing detailed insights into extractive activities in the region.
The disclosure of strategic information serves to promote transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption efforts. By giving access to data on natural resource exploitation, the EITI Standard encourages constructive dialogue among stakeholders and empowers local communities to demand accountability from involved parties.
Publishing these reports, notably the 2020-2021 edition, is crucial for responsible management of Greater Katanga’s natural resources. By offering accurate and timely information to citizens, the EITI-DRC contributes to legitimizing and ensuring the sustainability of extractive activities in the region.
In summary, the release of essential data on extractive industries in Greater Katanga marks significant progress toward transparent, ethical, and sustainable resource management. This step paves the way for inclusive economic and social development beneficial to all inhabitants of the region.