Minister Watum Kabamba Leads Major Anti-Illegal Mining Operation
Watsa, Haut-Uélé Province — In a decisive move to enforce legality in the mining sector, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba led an operation that shut down a large-scale illegal gold mining site operated by Chinese nationals in Watsa territory. The action represents a significant step in the government’s ongoing campaign against illegal mining and resource exploitation.
High-Profile Raid in Gatanga
Under the scorching sun in Durba, Watsa, Minister Watum Kabamba, accompanied by the governor of Haut-Uélé, national deputies, and members of the Provincial Security Council, inspected reports of unauthorized gold mining on a concession legally held by Kibali Gold Mines in Gatanga village.
The delegation discovered an industrial-scale illegal operation, complete with bulldozers, crushers, and excavators running round the clock—entirely without permits, licenses, or residency documentation. The operators had even built private roads, bypassing oversight from agencies such as the Office des Routes and OVD.
“It was a state within a state,” said one parliamentarian who witnessed the operation.
Swift Government Action
Faced with clear evidence of large-scale illegal activity, Minister Watum Kabamba ordered the immediate arrest of all offenders, the seizure of mining equipment, and the suspension of operations. Provincial authorities, including the governor of Haut-Uélé, fully backed the decision.
“Mining must benefit the Congolese people, not outlaws,” the minister declared. “We are committed to restoring order and legality in a sector long plagued by fraud and corruption.”
Images from the site revealed massive craters, abandoned heavy machinery, and hundreds of Congolese workers left stranded after months of unregulated extraction—many without contracts, social protections, or fair pay.
Part of Broader Reform Agenda
Since his appointment, Minister Watum Kabamba has emphasized the need to regulate mining and ensure revenues serve the Congolese nation. By confronting a foreign network illegally exploiting gold on a legally held concession, the minister sent a clear message: the Congolese state is reclaiming control of its resources.
The operation aligns with President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision for responsible resource management and economic sovereignty.
Local Reactions and Legal Follow-Up
For residents of Watsa, the crackdown marked a rare moment of justice.
“This is the first time a minister has come here to act, not just to talk,” said a local elder.
Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings will target the foreign operators, their local collaborators, and any officials who facilitated the illicit activities.
“Never again will there be mining anarchy in the DRC,” Minister Watum Kabamba affirmed. “The law applies to everyone—without exception.”
Toward a New Era of Mining Governance
The Watsa operation is among the most visible anti-fraud interventions in recent years, reflecting the government’s commitment to end impunity and enforce transparency in the mining sector. If sustained, these actions could reshape Congolese mining, replacing decades of tolerance for illegal operations with accountability, legality, and national pride in the country’s vast natural wealth.
