DRC GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS APPROVAL FROM CONGO GOLD REFINERY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has withdrawn the approval from Congo Gold, the mining company that was previously authorized to construct the new gold refinery in Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province, with its inauguration scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The Minister of Mines of the DRC cited non-compliance with certain provisions of the mining code.

“Company Congo Gold Refinery did not fulfill its social obligations, notably in the development of the corporate social responsibility charter,” says Antoinette Samba. She adds that a formal notice was sent to Congo Gold Refinery on May 6, 2022, requesting compliance with the law. However, six months later, the company has not initiated any procedures to meet its social obligations.

As a reminder, Congo Gold Refinery (CGR) is a category B processing entity. Its newly constructed processing plant, covering an area of approximately 1200 m2, is capable of processing 200 kg of gold per day and 2 tons per month, with a very high purity level. CGR has a 30-day deadline to file its appeal with the General Secretariat of Mines.