The presence of, and ongoing monitoring by ITSCI and state services at several mine sites and the set-up of a local multi-stakeholder committee (Comité Local de Suivi, CLS) in the Nindja chiefdom, South Kivu Province, DRC, since 2023 helped to address security risks related to the presence of non-state armed group Raïa Mutomboki (RM) at and in the vicinity of non-ITSCI mines in the Lukoma area and resulted in the reduction of non-state armed groups interference in mining and in risk resolution.
An ongoing security risk in the artisanal mining sector within CAHRA is the presence of non-state armed groups at mine sites. In 2023, it was reported that non-ITSCI mine sites in the Lukoma area of Nindja chiefdom, South Kivu Province were controlled by non-state armed groups, including Raïa Mutomboki (RM). The presence of a non-state armed group in mining areas represents several OECD Annex II risks related to security and human rights.
These risks were reported and discussed within the local CLS in Nindja chiefdom. The Nindja CLS was set-up in September 2023 with support from ITSCI, and brings together local stakeholders, including state mining agents, public security forces, mining operators and local civil society. These local committees are core to ITSCI’s vision and success in risk mitigation. They first provide an opportunity for ITSCI to raise local stakeholders’ awareness of mining laws, due diligence expectations and
responsible sourcing practices. They support local stakeholders to take ownership of the committees, by chairing monthly meetings and by jointly defining and agreeing on mitigation actions to address risks in the mining sector.
During the first quarter of 2024, members of the Nindja CLS including the representative of the chiefdom, SAEMAPE, Divimines, the local mining cooperative, state security forces, and civil society, took actions to address the presence of RM in mining areas in the chiefdom and the subsequent risks of minerals produced at those mines entering the supply chain. They met with members of the RM and conducted an awareness-raising meeting explaining the impact of their interference in mining activities, while urging them to free up the mine sites under their control. CLS members were able to highlight the benefits of the ITSCI Programme, including how it supports artisanal miners and improves the livelihoods of local mining communities.
Mr Namegabe, Civil Society President and member of the Nindja CLS explained why secure mine sites are important for local communities:
“We need the minerals to help local development, so these discussions were necessary. Members of the RM explained that they were not familiar with the DRC Mining Code and how mining activities could help the chiefdom. For civil society, it is important for the mines to not be occupied and secure. Traceability and due diligence also help with the development of the local economy. We can build school and health stations with legal taxes.”
As a result of the awareness-raising, the RM leader accepted to voluntarily leave the area, including nonITSCI mines in the Lukoma area, and announced his intention to demobilise. A delegation from the Ninja CLS also visited the mines in the Lukoma area in April 2024 to raise awareness of RM members about risk management in mineral supply chains. These actions were very successful and resulted in the RM leader himself taking actions by stopping other RM fighters from entering mines.
President of the CLS and chief of the Nindja chiedfom said:
“RM members were receptive and happy to be informed about the various laws governing the mining sector. We are calling for the rapid extension of the ITSCI Programme to those mining sites to boost production at Nindja and enable the Congolese state to maximise its revenues.”
Mr Balihamwabo, negociant in Nindja said that the RM leader understood their concerns and added that he was “a patriot and that he must contribute in his own way to the development of the country by leaving those sites.”
Additionally, Claire Nsimire, woman leader and member of the Nindja CLS added that “unemployment is falling, and young adults are no longer tempted to join armed groups.”
Since the departure of the non-state armed group from the Lukoma area, some RM elements who have demobilised also reintegrated into civilian life and are now working as artisanal miners. The voluntary departure of non-state armed group RM enabled ITSCI to conduct mine baseline assessment at those mines in order to launch tagging by state services, while continuing monitoring by ITSCI field teams. The above story from the Nindja chiefdom is a great example of successful local multi-stakeholder engagement, reduction of non-state armed groups’ interference in mining, and resolution of Annex II risks.
