Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) has called for a coordinated approach between government, mining companies and academic institutions to address the energy challenges facing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rapidly expanding mining sector.
Speaking during a panel discussion on mining energy constraints on 19 June 2026, TFM Director of External Relations Hugo Sinza stressed that reliable and adequate power supply remains fundamental to the long-term growth and sustainability of the industry.
“Without energy, there is no sustainable mining industry,” Sinza said, highlighting the sector’s complete dependence on stable electricity to maintain production and support industrial development.
He noted that the DRC’s growing mining sector demonstrates both the country’s vast mineral potential and the increasing need for investment in energy generation and supporting infrastructure. According to Sinza, sustaining mining productivity will require long-term planning, stronger coordination and infrastructure development that keeps pace with rising production demands.
TFM is advocating for greater collaboration between public authorities, private mining operators and energy providers to ensure future infrastructure requirements are anticipated and addressed effectively.
“We are not about opposing the public and private sectors. We must plan together to anticipate future infrastructure needs,” Sinza said.
Beyond infrastructure investment, he emphasised the importance of building local technical capacity through education and training. He called for increased efforts to develop engineers, technicians and researchers capable of supporting the country’s industrial transformation and managing increasingly complex energy systems.
“Energy security is not only about megawatts. It is also about our ability to manage systems, plan ahead and adapt to the future,” he said, pointing to the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in modern industrial operations.
Sinza further urged stronger partnerships between government, industry and universities to align energy development with broader economic growth objectives. He warned that delays in addressing energy constraints could limit the mining sector’s ability to fully capitalise on the country’s mineral wealth.
While acknowledging the DRC’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of copper and cobalt, Sinza stressed that continued success will depend on strengthening energy infrastructure to support future growth.
He also highlighted the significant operational and financial impact of power interruptions on mining activities.
“Every power outage, even a short one, can take hours to recover from in a mining operation. This results in losses for companies, the state and local communities,” he explained.
TFM maintains that accelerating energy development is critical to unlocking the full value of the DRC’s mineral resources, supporting economic growth and securing the country’s position in global critical mineral supply chains.
