KINSHASA, April 28 – President Felix Tshisekedi has ordered a comprehensive audit of mining joint ventures in Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure companies comply with legal requirements, particularly the repatriation of export earnings.
The directive, issued during a council of ministers meeting, requires relevant ministries to begin the audit process within 30 days and present preliminary findings by June 15.
Tshisekedi said the review must identify gaps in compliance, assess uncollected state revenues, and propose corrective actions to strengthen oversight in the mining sector.
He highlighted the failure of some companies to repatriate export revenues, as mandated by law, along with capital flight through fraudulent import practices, as major vulnerabilities for the country’s economy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and the second-largest producer of copper, making its mining sector central to national revenue and global supply chains.
Many of the country’s mining operations are structured as joint ventures in which the state or state-owned firms hold minority stakes. These include projects involving major international companies such as CMOC Group Ltd., Glencore Plc, and Barrick Mining Corp..
Under Congolese regulations, mining companies are required to repatriate between 60% and 100% of their export proceeds, depending on whether they have recovered their initial investments.
Tshisekedi emphasized that the government’s response must be firm and enforceable, signaling a stronger push for transparency, accountability, and improved revenue collection in one of Africa’s most resource-rich economies.
