Many children in Katanga Province of DR Congo spend their day in riverbeds washing and sorting copper, cobalt and other minerals that have been hand dug out of the land with shovels and simple tools. Nearly two million men, women and children, known as artisan miners, are engaged in this work. The job is dangerous. Cave-ins are common, so is poisoning from chemicals. The miners work under bonded labor relationships with traffickers and middlemen, who pay extraordinary bribes to officials so that they can mine the country's rich mineral wealth. If the officials don't pay, their personal safety is at risk.

While artisan mining is dangerous, and often illegal, for many Congolese it is their only source of income. The last decade of war (1996-2003) all but destroyed the formal economy. Now with peace restored foreign investors are eager to profit from some of the world's richest mineral deposits and more job opportunities are being created. However, as mining companies commence large-scale operations, they are frequently at odds with artisan miners and the corrupt networks of traffickers and middlemen mining on land now legally owned by the companies. The potential for conflict is great.

Through the Extractive Industries Network, Pact is working with, international donors, government, companies and communities, throughout the Congo to promote social development and to improve governance. In order to find safe and reliable alternative sources of income, the network provides agriculture extension, small business training, as well as help to communities in improving basic infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, so local farmers can get their produce to market.

Women, who previously worked as artisan miners are now learning to read and write and run small businesses under Pact's WORTH program. The first business for many women is a collective one, such as starting a vegetable cooperative. While it was difficult for the women to forego earnings until the first harvest when previously the trafficker had paid them daily, the women are optimistic that they will be able to better provide for their families through vegetable farming than artisan mining.

While community-level activities are essential, governance issues must also be addressed. The Extractive Industries Network is working on revenue transparency to ensure that taxes and royalties paid by mining companies are used for the common good. In addition Pact is working to ensure companies and communities interact positively and that human rights are understood and respected. To mitigate potential conflict in the artisan mining sector, Pact is working with companies and artisan miners to develop hybrid models of mining that integrate artisan with commercial operations and allow for a peaceful coexistence.

There are many challenges in the future of the Congo. However, the Congolese are optimistic and strongly believe that they can build a better future. Pact is working to help make the vision and hope of a healthy and happy life a reality.