Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have released 14 out of 17 Chinese nationals who were arrested on suspicion of operating an illegal gold mine in South Kivu province.
The men, now en route back to China, were detained last week alongside several Congolese and Burundian individuals during a government crackdown on unauthorized mineral extraction.
South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki expressed shock over the miners’ release, emphasizing that they owe the government $10 million in unpaid taxes and fines.
Officials reported that approximately 60 Chinese nationals were present at the mining site, with 17 detained as the presumed leaders of the operation.
The Chinese embassy in Kinshasa has not issued any statement, while Burundi’s embassy stated it is awaiting updates from its representative in Bukavu.
Bernard Muhindo, South Kivu’s finance minister and acting mines minister, clarified that the government’s focus is not on persecution but on reforming the mining sector. “The goal is to clean up the industry, ensuring it operates transparently and legally with trustworthy partners,” he said.
The DRC, rich in minerals like gold, cobalt, and copper, has long struggled to control illegal mining operations, often linked to unlicensed companies and armed groups. Competition over mining rights continues to fuel violence in the eastern region bordering Rwanda.
