Mining to be suspended in the energy-rich province of DRC
The authorities in one of the states rich in minerals in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have announced the suspension of all mining activities to "restore order" in the sector.
The Information Officer of the province of South Kivu, Danny Bashige, has said that the Governor of the province, Jean-Jacques Purusi, "wants to control illegal mining in the area." Without elaborating, the Governor's statement says "mining activities have been suspended until further notice due to "disturbances caused by mining operators."
Mining in that area of the Democratic Republic of Congo has long been in the face of violence from armed groups and the transportation of minerals to neighboring countries, such as Rwanda.
Attacks on quarries and mining cooperatives are frequent in the region, which has more than 120 armed groups competing for land and resources in eastern Congo.
Earlier this month, militants attacked a gold mine in the Ituri region of northeastern Congo where they killed six Chinese miners and two soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest report of the United Nations has revealed that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are fighting side by side with the rebels of the M23 group in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo while Kigali is leading the group's operations.
