Challenges Facing Artisanal Miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Artisanal miners in the DRC account for 10-20% of the country’s copper and cobalt production, but they face significant health and safety risks. Despite a government pledge in 2002 to formalize the sector, little progress has been made in over 20 years. The allocation of mining zones specified in the 2018 Mining Code has not occurred, leaving many miners operating illegally under hazardous conditions. Recent initiatives, such as the EGC, aim to improve conditions, yet many challenges persist regarding mine safety and regulatory support.

Artisanal mining constitutes a significant portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) copper and cobalt production, accounting for between 10 to 20 percent. Nevertheless, the workers engaged in this sector face numerous health and safety hazards. Although the DRC government committed in 2002 to formalize the artisanal mining sector with a plan towards semi-industrialization, more than two decades later, minimal advancements have been made toward this goal. Approximately 200,000 individuals rely on artisanal mining in the Katanga region, where many scrape a living under dangerous conditions with rudimentary tools, despite government assurances aimed at improving their quality of life. Following the dissolution of the state-owned Gécamines in 2002 into several private entities, the DRC administration vowed to create a formalized framework for artisanal mining. However, 22 years later, valuable mineral deposits remain predominantly under the control of industrial companies. The mining zones for artisanal activities specified in the 2018 Mining Code have not been implemented. According to the World Bank, artisanal mining sustains about 10 million livelihoods in the DRC, but many workers operate illegally, frequently moving around and encroaching on sites assigned to formal enterprises. Frédéric Malu, the director of CENADEP, a non-governmental organization dedicated to assisting artisanal miners, indicates that the provincial government of Lualaba has designated temporary areas for these workers. “These are not artisanal mining zones,” he clarifies. “They are areas that belong to companies, but where artisanal miners are allowed to operate.” Additionally, cooperatives representing artisanal miners struggle to secure the necessary funding for the production tools essential for semi-industrialization, as noted by Mr. Malu and Richard Mukena of AFREWATCH, a non-governmental organization concerned with natural resources. In 2019, the DRC government established the Entreprise générale du cobalt (EGC), a subsidiary of Gécamines, to formalize and protect artisanal miners. However, the first deposits available would not be announced until February 2024, five years later, when only 425 hectares were allocated to the EGC. Papy Nsenga, who collaborates with artisanal miners in Kolwezi, expresses concerns regarding the insufficient size of the allocated area for the influx of miners seeking employment. Mr. Mukena acknowledges the inadequacy of the designated area but appreciates the government’s initiative to enable the EGC to set up mineral trading posts. Despite laws permitting mining companies to cede portions of their concessions to artisanal miners, industrial companies cite potential security risks and highlight the financial responsibilities they carry for their properties, which could lead to indirect subsidization of artisanal operations. The health and safety risks associated with artisanal mining are grave. Workers, or creusers, utilize pickaxes and shovels in perilously constructed tunnels devoid of adequate safety equipment. The radioactive nature of the ores presents additional dangers. Recently, several shipments of copper and cobalt concentrates from the COMMUS project were sent back to the DRC after exceeding acceptable radioactivity levels detected in South Africa. Exposure to radiation could significantly jeopardize the health of miners. Queenter Osoro, chair of the Eastern African Association for Radiation Protection, asserts that copper and cobalt may contain trace amounts of uranium and thorium, which decay into highly radioactive elements, further exacerbating health risks.

Artisanal mining plays a crucial role in the economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, notably in regions rich in valuable minerals such as copper and cobalt. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces challenges, including inadequate safety measures, a lack of formal recognition, and persistent governmental inefficiencies regarding promised reforms. Legislative frameworks put in place, such as the 2018 Mining Code, were intended to support the formalization of artisanal mining but have seen limited successful implementation. The DRC’s artisanal miners often work under hazardous conditions, exacerbated by the illegal nature of many operations and the lack of training and resources necessary to improve their working environment.

Despite the DRC government’s early promises to formalize the artisanal mining sector, the situation for these miners remains precarious. Over two decades later, significant health and safety issues persist due to inadequate regulations and poor working conditions. While recent efforts, such as the establishment of the EGC, aim to provide solutions, much still needs to be done to ensure the safety and rights of artisanal miners. The anticipated allocation of mining zones and enhanced support for cooperatives is essential for transitioning toward a safer and more productive artisanal mining sector in the DRC.

Original Source: news.mongabay.com