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Dialogue with Mining Cooperative Leaders in Kolwezi 

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May 8, 2025

Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) convened a vital dialogue with around twenty leaders of mining cooperatives in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province. The objective was to develop a shared understanding of the challenges facing artisanal mining and to collaboratively formulate context-specific, practical solutions.

Key Issues Discussed:

  • Lack of viable and accessible Artisanal Mining Zones (AEZs)
  • Politicisation and militarisation negatively impacting artisanal mining operations
  • Weak government supervision of mining cooperatives
  • Declining incomes for artisanal miners
  • Difficulties accessing financing and credit for miners
  • Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Absence of grievance mechanisms and formal security policies protecting artisanal miners
  • Arbitrary arrests of miners during protests
  • Weakening of the Provincial Committee representing artisanal miners

Recommendations from Participants:

  • The Congolese State must enforce mining legislation rigorously, applying penalties to offenders without complacency.
  • Creation of a dedicated Ministry for Artisanal Mining to oversee and support the sector.
  • Establishment of formal dialogue platforms between artisanal miners and government representatives.
  • Mining cooperatives should prioritise the acquisition of equipment suited to local mining conditions and methods.

This dialogue marks a crucial step toward empowering artisanal miners in Lualaba with stronger representation, safer working conditions, and improved access to resources. SARW remains committed to facilitating these critical conversations that amplify community voices and drive policy change.

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