Carter Center Report Exposes Weak Social Commitments by DRC Mining Companies
A November 2024 report by the Carter Center, White Paper on the Specifications of Mining Companies in the DRC, has unveiled major deficiencies in the social and sustainable development commitments of mining companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The findings highlight a significant gap between companies’ promises and their actions, particularly concerning the needs of local communities impacted by mining operations.
The study reveals that between 2018 and 2024, only 71 of 402 mandated community development agreements, known as “specifications,” were signed—representing a compliance rate of just 18%. Additionally, the financial resources allocated to these agreements are strikingly low, with the average annual budget amounting to only 0.2% of the companies’ turnover.
Insufficient Funding and Lack of Transparency
The report underscores that, on average, the total budget for a five-year specification accounts for just 1% of a mining company’s annual turnover. This minimal allocation has exacerbated tensions between mining operators and affected communities, who argue that the funding is inadequate to address their needs.
According to Fabien Mayani, head of the Human Rights and Just Transition program at the Carter Center, many mining companies exploit a provision in the mining code that mandates 0.3% of their turnover for sustainable development projects. These funds are often used to sidestep direct financial obligations outlined in the specifications, further reducing the impact of these initiatives on local communities.
Contributing Factors
The Carter Center identifies several reasons for the poor adherence to specifications, including:
- Lack of transparency between mining companies and communities.
- Weak sustainable investment practices by some operators.
- Absence of political will to enforce accountability.
- Ineffective monitoring mechanisms at both national and provincial government levels.
Recommendations for Reform
To address these challenges, the Carter Center proposes the following:
- Set a minimum budget threshold: The Minister of Mines should require companies to allocate at least 5% of their latest or forecast annual turnover for community specifications.
- Strengthen provincial oversight: Provincial governors should allocate specific funds in their budgets to support the operations of permanent commissions tasked with monitoring specifications.
- Enhance legal protections: Parliament should adopt stronger laws to safeguard the environment, regulate natural resource exploitation, and protect community land rights. This includes enforcing principles of free, prior, and informed consent for affected communities.
Call for Accountability
The report calls for urgent action to close the gap between mining companies’ revenues and their obligations to local communities. Without these reforms, the potential for mining operations to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in the DRC remains significantly undermined.
