The presence and movement of foreign individuals in mining areas were key topics during the eighteenth meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday, October 18, 2024.
In his address, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi expressed concerns about illegal foreign operations in the country’s mining regions. He emphasized that while the mining sector has been liberalized under the Mining Code, foreign operators must adhere to legal regulations.
“The lifting of restrictions on the movement of foreigners in mining areas should not be seen as a lack of oversight. This decision was made to attract investors and improve the business climate,” he stated.
To prevent potential abuses from this liberalization, the government has issued new directives. The Deputy Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of the Interior and Mines, as well as the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), has been tasked with enhancing control and surveillance to stop unauthorized access to mining sites by foreigners without proper residency permits or investment commitments.
They are also required to eliminate the practice of nominee arrangements. The involved ministers and agencies must report their findings within one month.
This discussion comes in the wake of recent incidents involving the arrest of 18 Chinese nationals and the reported disappearance of three individuals affiliated with Good Time Steel Congo Investment SARL in Lualaba province.
In response to these events, the Chinese Embassy in the DRC has voiced its concerns, urging Congolese authorities to locate the missing individuals and ensure their safety. The embassy has also requested consular visits to check on their well-being.
