A lawmaker from Kolwezi and member of the presidential majority, national deputy Eddy Ilunga Kalenga, has called for the suspension of the operations of Ruashi Mining and Commus. He accuses the two mining companies of causing environmental and public health damage affecting several communities in Lualaba.

The request was made in a motion submitted to the National Assembly during its ordinary June 2026 session. The lawmaker said the activities of both companies should be halted until measures to protect and relocate affected residents are effectively implemented.

Ruashi Mining Accused Over Pollution in Dilungu

In his address, Eddy Ilunga said residents of the Dilungu neighborhood in Kolwezi are suffering from pollution that he attributes to Ruashi Mining's operations.

According to him, the national environment minister visited the area about three months ago to assess the situation. Following the visit, she reportedly recommended the urgent relocation of residents exposed to the pollution. The recommendation has yet to be acted upon, he said, despite the establishment of commissions tasked with identifying affected residents and ensuring their medical care.

The lawmaker cited cases of nosebleeds among some children as well as damage observed to nearby homes. He said the company should contribute to relocating residents, compensate them for harm already suffered, and assume responsibility for any future health impacts linked to the pollution.

The allegations come amid a broader debate over the environmental impact of mining activities in the Greater Katanga region. In May, the Initiative Bonne Gouvernance et Droits Humains (IBGDH) NGO also called for the suspension of Ruashi Mining's industrial trials, saying additional measures were needed to protect neighboring communities.

Commus Also Faces Criticism

Eddy Ilunga also accused Commus, a company controlled by China's Zijin Mining.

According to him, the company's mining operations are affecting several neighborhoods in Kolwezi, including the Gécamines, Musonoie, Biashara and Tshimpuki districts.

The lawmaker said vibrations caused by blasting activities had resulted in cracks in some homes, damage to roofs and structural deterioration in several buildings.

He also said a process to identify households that may need to be relocated has been underway for nearly a year, without a definitive solution being reached. He called for the suspension of Commus' activities until affected communities are protected and relocated.

Parliamentary Mission Requested

The concerns raised by the lawmaker come as several civil society organizations have warned about the environmental consequences of mining operations in Lualaba.

A study published in early June by RAID, Afrewatch and Source International reported high levels of air, water and soil pollution near several mining sites in the region, including those operated by Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), Commus and Mutanda Mining (MUMI), which are controlled respectively by CMOC, Zijin Mining and Glencore.

The authors of the report said they found significant concentrations of fine particulate matter and heavy metals that could pose health risks to nearby communities. The companies concerned, for their part, regularly highlight their environmental management programs and commitments to regulatory compliance.

In his motion, Eddy Ilunga asked the National Assembly leadership to send a parliamentary mission to Kolwezi to assess the situation on the ground and make recommendations to the relevant authorities.

"Any delay would be dangerous," the lawmaker said, adding that the protection of affected residents must take precedence over all other considerations.

Ronsard Luabeya