by Nurat Uthman
A suspension of mining activities, with the exception of gold extraction, in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province has been lifted, the province’s governor said in a statement on Thursday.
Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki in July suspended all mining activities in the restive region and ordered companies and operators to leave mining sites.
He said at the time the decision was taken due to “disorder caused by the mining operators,” without elaborating.
Besides gold, the region is also rich in tin ore cassiterite and hi-tech mineral coltan.
After a meeting with mining operators it was decided to lift the suspension, a statement published by a government spokesperson said.
Authorities will continue consultations with various players in the gold industry and other mining operators, the statement said.
“The aim is to transform the mining sector into a genuine lever for stability, wealth creation for all and the socio-economic development of South Kivu province,” it added.
