DRC bolsters mining security with new specialized unit

This significant reform is a key component of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s broader strategy to enhance governance within its vital mining sector. The 20,000 recruits, once thoroughly trained, will undertake critical responsibilities: safeguarding major mining operations, providing oversight for artisanal mining activities, and reinforcing the traceability of mineral exports from the DRC.

While the Congolese authorities have yet to disclose the identity of the private company tasked with training this specialized paramilitary unit, anticipation is building.

The training program for these mining guards is slated to commence this coming September, with the inaugural battalion expected to be fully operational and deployed to the mineral-rich Katanga region by January 2027.

Historically, both the national army and police forces have been stationed around mining sites. However, in certain provinces, such as Lualaba, private security agents also play a significant role. These local agents are recruited and trained within the province by local companies officially registered with security services.

Henri Kasongo Mutata, coordinator of the diocesan commission for natural resources and environment in Lualaba province, underscored this existing framework.

“The security of mining sites here in Lualaba is currently managed by the mining police, in conjunction with various private guarding companies. Private guards are engaged by mining title holders to secure their respective sites.”

Towards less criminalized mining operations

The DRC is globally recognized for its immense reserves of crucial minerals, including copper, cobalt, tin, coltan, gold, lithium, and zinc. Despite numerous agreements authorizing exploitation by various companies, notably American ones, several key mining sites remain inaccessible. This is primarily due to ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country. A prime example is the Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world’s largest, which is currently under the control of AFC-M23 rebels. This situation raises serious concerns, as highlighted by Crispine Ngena, an ecofeminist activist focused on women’s participation in natural resource management.

“The primary challenge is the militarization of these sites. I struggle to envision the respect for rights or the application of standards in such ‘jungles.’ A second crucial point is whether the Congolese state truly possesses the capacity to render these mines less criminogenic and to ensure that foreign companies adhere to standards and respect rights, especially those of indigenous populations and women in these already chaotic zones.”

In a related development, for several months now, private security teams associated with Erik Prince, founder of the former Blackwater company, have been deployed to various mines around Kolwezi and Kisangani, spanning the Lualaba and Tshopo provinces. Their core mission reportedly encompasses enhancing mine security, improving tax collection, and combating smuggling activities.