DR Congo's Ministry of Mines announced on June 2 the precautionary suspension of all mining activities in areas adjacent to Maiko National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The decision followed inspections by technical teams from the ministries of Mines and Environment after the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) raised concerns in a letter to the authorities.

In that letter, the ICCN warned that two mining companies -Stone Mining SARLU and Xin Hong Kuang Ye SARL which hold exploration permits No. 16591 and No. 16594 respectively- had been operating near the boundaries of Maiko National Park.

According to the Ministry of Mines, consultations between the relevant government agencies identified several concerns. The two companies are suspected of using their exploration permits to carry out activities that effectively amount to mining, in violation of the Mining Code and Mining Regulations.

A mission announced

The authorities also raised the possibility of breaches of nature conservation laws, which prohibit activities incompatible with the protection of designated conservation areas. The ministry noted that the activities in question were taking place in environmentally sensitive zones near a national park.

The statement also cited the presence of unidentified armed individuals within the permit areas, adding a security dimension to a case already marked by environmental and mining concerns.

In response, the Ministry of Mines ordered a precautionary suspension of mining activities in the affected permit areas. According to the authorities, the measure is intended to safeguard natural resources and protected areas pending a more comprehensive assessment of the situation.

A joint mission involving officials from the ministries of Interior, Defence, Environment and Mines is expected to be deployed in the coming days. It will be tasked with assessing conditions on the ground and recommending appropriate measures.

Boaz Kabeya