by Nurat Uthman
The governor of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo has approved the resumption of all mining activities in the area but stated authorities would continue their investigation into the sector.
All mining activities in the restive area, which is abundant in minerals such as gold, copper, diamond, tin, tantalum and cobalt, were suspended in July when Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki purchased companies and operators to leave mining websites to restore order to mining operations.
In August, the suspension was raised with the exception of gold extraction. A statement released by a federal government spokesperson said back then that assessments with operators in the industry would continue.
Following a preliminary examination after the restriction in July, more than 550 mining operators out of almost 650 were discovered to be running without proper authorisations, a provincial mines minister informed Reuters in early September.
He included that more than 45 people, consisting of 2 magistrates, associated with scams and the prohibited exploitation of minerals in the province had actually been jailed.
Today, we’re opening up mining activities throughout the area, governor Sadiki told mining operators during a meeting on Monday.
He included that a team would be dispatched to perform examinations into each mining business to prevent the exploitation of the regional population.
If they violate any of our dedications, we’ll shut down that business or cooperative and struck them with exemplary fines, the governor alerted.
Authorities in South Kivu province have actually previously implicated numerous companies of unlawful activities, including mining without permits, discarding chemicals into water sources and underpaying employees.
