DR Congo's state diamond miner Société minière de Bakwanga (MIBA) has awarded a contract for industrial equipment to South Africa's Bond Equipment (PTY) LTD as part of its revival plan, according to a notice dated May 6, 2026.

MIBA awarded the contract to Bond Equipment in a deal worth $57.45 million, inclusive of taxes, according to the notice signed by Director General André Kabanda Kana. The contract is divided into five lots, while transport costs amount to an additional $2.3 million. The notice does not specify the technical details of the equipment involved.

The contract award remains provisional under public procurement rules. It follows the opening of bids on March 3, 2026, a review of the offer evaluation report on March 13, 2026, and a no-objection notice issued by the Directorate General for Public Procurement Control (DGCMP) on March 27, 2026.

Financing context

The contract award comes as MIBA pursues a broader turnaround effort. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had previously announced $50 million in support for the company, which authorities said was being disbursed. The award notice does not indicate whether those funds have already been released or whether they are directly financing this contract.

MIBA's revival is part of an initial recovery plan estimated at around $70 million, aimed at increasing production capacity, securing concessions and restarting operations at the state miner in Mbuji-Mayi.

Bond Equipment was among the South African companies previously cited in discussions surrounding MIBA's recovery. The company also has prior experience in the Congolese mining sector. Ivanhoe Mines had previously indicated that Bond Equipment manufactured the dense medium separation unit intended for the concentrator at the Kipushi zinc mine.

The coming weeks should clarify whether the award will be finalised, when the contract will be signed, the timetable for equipment deliveries and the precise financing arrangements for the deal.

Timothée Manoke