The Anhui-Congo Mining Investment Company (SACIM) stands among three mining firms facing suspension after the Court of Auditors found them delinquent on legally required community contributions. The June audit report faulted the companies for failing to pay 0.3% of their turnover, funds meant to support community projects in mining areas.

SACIM already struggles financially after recent diamond sales restrictions limited its buyers to a few approved partners. Although the restrictions lifted, SACIM’s operations remain paralyzed. Workers, unpaid for thirteen months, staged multiple strikes to protest the dire situation.

At SACIM’s main site in Miabi, Kasaï Oriental, local civil society groups complain that communities have yet to receive any of the mandated contributions since the specialized oversight body was established in 2022. The Court reports SACIM owes nearly $700,000 in unpaid fees intended for local development.

The Court also named OM Metal Resources and the Lubumbashi Tailings Processing Company as defaulters. Together, the three firms owe $2.77 million in unpaid community contributions from 2018 to 2023, despite generating significant revenues.

The Court slammed the Supervisory Committee for failing to sanction these companies despite repeated warnings. It dismissed claims that leniency was needed to protect the business climate. The Court stressed that legal obligations must not obstruct investment, especially since these companies pay other taxes.

The Court urged the Supervisory Committee, via the Minister of Mines, to suspend the companies’ operations under Article 292 of the Mining Code until they clear their debts in full.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum