On 18th July 2024, the Governor of South Kivu Province, DRC, released a decree suspending all mining activities in South Kivu Province, including 3T (tin, tantalum and tungsten) and gold. This suspension, however, was lifted for 3T minerals on 15th August, while the decree remains in effect for gold.
A key factor in the quick resumption of 3T mining is that traceability and due diligence is embedded in the 3T mineral sector. Over the past decade, significant efforts were made to enhance responsible sourcing and trading of 3T minerals by all stakeholders in the province. This includes the establishment of 3T mineral traceability by state services from mine to export, the monitoring by ITSCI of 3T activities and risks in South Kivu with an on-the-ground team continuously collecting, verifying, and reporting information, as well as working with stakeholders to resolve risks.
As an important part of our Fully Aligned processes[1], ITSCI raises any risks or incidents with relevant local and provincial stakeholders for discussion and their mitigation, for instance via monthly multi-stakeholder committee meetings facilitated by ITSCI, which encompass local authorities, state services, state security forces, mining operators and civil society. In South Kivu, one provincial committee and 37 local committees are established. In partnership with local state services, we continuously work to improve our processes and checks on the ground.
The suspension and subsequent resumption of 3T mining in South Kivu highlights the progress that has been made in formalising the artisanal and small-scale 3T mining sector. The continued suspension of gold mining underscores the significant challenges that remain for that sector. The Provincial Governor continues to call for improved transparency and governance to regularise gold mining and support development of South Kivu
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About ITSCI
The ITSCI Programme is designed to facilitate company implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk so that 3T minerals are sourced responsibly.
In the DRC, ITSCI works closely with state mining services, including SAEMAPE[2], the Mine Division and the CEEC[3]), mining cooperatives, processors and exporters approved by the Congolese government. In South Kivu province, we currently cover 340 3T mine sites across seven territories[4].
For more information, please contact: ITSCI Programme Manager Mickaël Daudin, [email protected]
For media enquiries, please contact: [email protected]
[1] In 2023, a second independent Alignment Assessment (AA) concluded ITSCI is Fully Aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from CAHRA