Formalizing artisanal mining in the DRC

Formalising artisanal mining is considered a challenge by most mining companies, especially those located in very remote countries. Regardless of the difficulties posed by training and educating local citizens to contribute meaningfully to a mining operation, it can be done successfully – and has been in the DRC.

Listen to a recording of the discussion hosted by DRC Mining Week and Mining Review Africa in which commodity trader Trafigura, NGO PACT, development organisation Global Communities and commodity research firm CRU Group shared their wins and aspirations for building a successful artisanal mining sector in the DRC and further afield.

Key discussion points included:

• Why is it important to contribute towards helping to formalise the artisanal mining sector?

• The key steps and priority points to consider

• A successful case study in the DRC with copper/cobalt miner Chemaf

• Global Communities’ commercially viable conflict-free gold project, originating in the DRC

• Dealing with artisanal mining in a COVID-19 world

Read a summary article here.

Panel:

James Nicholson, Head of Corporate Responsibility | Trafigura

Stephanie Shumsky, Technical Manager, Mines to Markets (M2M) Great Lakes Region | Pact

George Heppel, Senior Analyst: Cobalt, Lithium & Battery Markets | CRU Group

Lazarre Potier, Deputy Chief of Party and DRC Country Manager | Global Communities (a USAID implementing agency)