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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on a mineral rush, and the recent DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi underscored the urgency of finding sustainable solutions alongside this rapid growth. Global consulting firm SRK Consulting, with a presence at the event, highlighted the growing emphasis on responsible mining practices.
“The social license to operate remains a critical subject,” said Vis Reddy, chairman of SRK Consulting South Africa. “Stakeholders are no longer just asking about solutions, they want to see them implemented.”
The conference brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, from government officials and mining companies to NGOs and service providers. A key concern was the environmental and social impact of artisanal mining, a long-standing challenge in the DRC.
“The issue of artisanal mining was again at the forefront this year,” said Dominique Sambwa, chairman of SRK Consulting Congo. “The environmental damage and ethical issues around child labor are a serious concern.”
The influx of Chinese mining companies into the DRC was another focus. Pengfei Xiao, managing director at SRK Consulting China, believes this trend will continue. “The event allows Chinese companies to share experiences and communicate their activities to the Congolese audience,” he said.
However, this growth must be balanced with responsible practices. “Metal buyers and battery manufacturers are increasingly demanding responsibly sourced minerals,” explained Wouter Jordaan, partner at SRK Consulting. “The DRC Mining Week discussions are crucial to ensuring long-term supply contracts.”
SRK Consulting is actively involved in raising sustainability standards across the DRC mining sector. “We’re working with clients to comply with evolving battery mineral benchmarks while setting a higher bar for new entrants,” said Jordaan.
The conference also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to unlock new mining areas and develop the country’s vast renewable energy potential. Sambwa concluded, “The DRC has the opportunity for a mining boom, but responsible practices must be at the forefront to ensure this translates to lasting prosperity.”
