The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government initiated a crackdown on illegal mining operations earlier this week, leading to the detention of approximately 300 Chinese miners working in the copper mining belt.
According to reports from Bloomberg on Friday, the arrest operation mainly targeted the mining hub of Kolwezi in the Lualaba province, which lies at the heart of the DRC’s copper-cobalt industry, hosting projects from various international and Chinese mining groups.
Sources indicated that the detained Chinese citizens are suspected of illegal mining within the concession areas of other companies. Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, the informants requested to remain anonymous.
The operation involved personnel from the National Security Council and the immigration department of the DRC.
Official information regarding the identities, affiliated companies, and subsequent actions concerning the detained Chinese citizens has yet to be disclosed.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that the Chinese Embassy in Kinshasa intervened in the matter, resulting in the release of some of the detained workers.
In a report from Beijing Dingtaian Yuan website on October 13th, the Immigration Department of the DRC announced that law enforcement officers had taken over twenty Chinese citizens from a mining company with Chinese involvement in Kolwezi on October 12th.
The department stated that these Chinese citizens were arrested for illegal residence and unauthorized exploitation of mineral resources within the DRC.
According to the report, the government of Kolwezi has intensified scrutiny on compliance qualifications of Chinese mining industry employees, extending beyond companies with Chinese backgrounds.
On October 11th, social media platforms circulated information about 30 Chinese citizens from the CCR mining company being summoned and taken away by the immigration authorities in Kolwezi.
From September 24th to 26th, the DRC immigration department conducted inspections in the mining region of Lualaba province, resulting in the detention and subsequent deportation of seven Chinese nationals for illegal purchase of minerals from artisanal miners.
Recent years have seen a significant influx of foreign investment primarily led by Chinese funds into the DRC. Chinese companies have taken a dominant position in the country’s copper industry.
Since 2015, the copper production in the DRC has almost tripled, surpassing Peru, becoming the world’s second-largest copper producer.
However, the mining boom has also brought about chaos. Concession areas owned by major mining operators are frequently invaded by illegal miners.
Reportedly, some miners often trespass into areas with mining permits held by international investors without permission, facilitated by the tacit approval and support of local soldiers.