KINSHASA, May 25 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has ordered a temporary halt to mining operations in selected areas of South Kivu province as the government moves to tighten oversight of the country’s mineral sector and address growing concerns over unauthorized extraction activities.
The restriction, which will remain in place for three months, affects the territories of Mwenga and Shabunda in the eastern region of the country, according to a directive issued by the Ministry of Mines.
Authorities said the decision forms part of broader efforts to address irregular mining practices and strengthen monitoring mechanisms in areas that have experienced challenges linked to illegal resource exploitation.
According to a ministerial directive signed by Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba, the temporary ban specifically targets the Mwenga and Shabunda territories. The freeze went into effect following widespread reports of rampant, undocumented exploitation of the region’s rich mineral reserves, citing Reuters.
The measure also introduces an inspection exercise led by the General Inspectorate of Mines, which will conduct reviews of mining activities and assess whether operators are functioning within legal and regulatory frameworks.
Government officials believe stronger enforcement could help reduce mineral-related fraud and improve accountability within mining communities operating across the region.
South Kivu remains one of Congo’s significant mineral-producing areas, with artisanal mining activities playing a major role in the extraction of commodities such as gold, cassiterite and coltan. Coltan remains particularly important because of its use in electronic devices and advanced technology manufacturing.
The country’s eastern mining zones have faced longstanding difficulties associated with informal mining networks, illicit trade channels and security concerns.
In previous efforts to tighten control over the sector, authorities restricted mineral trading activities at several artisanal mining sites across North and South Kivu following concerns that unregulated supply chains were contributing to the financing of armed groups operating in the region.
Congo remains one of Africa’s most resource-rich economies and holds some of the world’s largest reserves of minerals essential to global industries, including cobalt, copper and lithium.
The latest intervention also comes amid increasing global focus on supply-chain transparency and responsible sourcing practices for critical minerals used in energy transition technologies and manufacturing industries.
