rdcongonews.blogspot.com

DRC natural resources press review of Thursday, February 27, 2014

2014-02-27T02:40:00.001-08:00

President Joseph Kabila has reassured all member countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa ( COMESA) the determination of the DRC to exploit its mandate to advance economic integration , capitalizing this end progress in the Ugandan presidency, in his speech on the occasion of his accession to the presidency of this sub- regional economic organization , replacing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni , during the opening ceremony Wednesday in the City of African Union to Kinshasa , from the 17th ordinary summit of the organization , says the Congolese news Agency (ACP )

On another issue, that of fishing, Radio Okapi reports that Kunda Mbanga communities and compete for fishing areas Budjala . According to the radio , the two communities compete for fishing on the river in Mbanga Budjala territory of Ecuador. A member of the Local Conciliation Committee went on Monday 24 February in Gemena to alert the authorities of the district of tensions between the two communities . On February 18 , fifty members of ethnic Kunda attacked a young man of Mbanza community who fished on the river Mbanga . They robbed him of his canoe , his machete , his hooks and traps. On his return to the village, the unfortunate informed his brothers who wanted to attack in turn fishermen " Kunda ". The confrontation was avoided thanks to the intervention of a military commander .

In the same folder and another field , the Observateur reports that for once again Vitshumbi fishermen on Lake Edward come , in a statement , complaining of various harassment they are subjected from armed in this part of the country including Mayi -Mayi groups. There are already a few weeks , the chairman of fishermen Vutshumbi , 100 kilometers from Goma, Mr. Joshua Mukura accused Wednesday, February 6, 2014 the armed group Mayi-Mayi disturb more than four hundred fishermen affiliates its cooperative during fishing activities they carry on Lake Edward , located north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and natural border with Uganda.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, February 26, 2014

2014-02-26T01:43:00.002-08:00

Kinshasa vibrates to the rhythm of the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government of COMESA , which opens today . Congolese media also participate in this event. For Potentiel is in Kinshasa have made an appointment the member countries of the Common Market for Southern Africa ( Comesa ) for the 17th summit of the organization. This appointment is crucial, because for the foundation of a free trade area in the region , which should eventually extend to ECCAS and SADC . Addicted to over 30 % of foreign exchange earnings , the DRC will she sacrifice the survival of its economy in the name of regional integration ? Kinshasa is at the crossroads.

"Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Comesa argue for the promotion of small and medium enterprises ( SMEs) , says his side the Observateur who notes that " the promotion of SMEs within the Comesa is a priority of the 17th Summit of Heads of State of Comesa , stressed Monday, February 24 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Comesa meeting in Kinhasa . " The bulk of the conference is expanding the economic space for SMEs is to provide more facilities to entrepreneurs , solve technical problems to give a new start to the investment" said the Mauritian Minister Arvin Booleil .

Member countries of the COMESA expose the last few days , their food, agriculture and others in Kinshasa, on the sidelines of experts and ministers of foreign affairs of their association, reports Radio Okapi. In some stands and pavilions located leather goods including handbags, shoes and cosmetics locally. These exhibitions serve to know not only the country but also their products and services they offer.
It was also about agriculture in maintaining a delegation of the German International Cooperation (GIZ ) was yesterday Tuesday, February 25, 2014 with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Jean Chrysostome Vahamwiti as the relays Forum des As. Discussions focused on projects by GIZ in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Department in the agricultural sector . Areas of future cooperation were thus identified. The boss of Agriculture rd- Congolese expressed to the German delegation of one of the Government's priorities , namely how to deal with food insecurity. The strategy of this policy is the establishment of agro-industrial parks in targeted production areas through a public -private partnership. This partnership will involve multinational institutions , investors.

On another matter, the Potentiel announces that the General careers mines ( Gécamines ) decided to build a power plant that will produce up to 500 megawatts to fill "the gap 332 megawatts of electricity " causing "big losses copper production . " Copper production in 2013 was 980,000 t of copper cathode ( crude refined copper industrially ) for forecasts of 1.8 million tonnes , learned Lepotentielonline.com Tuesday, February 25, 2014 from official sources. " In Katanga , the deficit in electricity is 332 megawatts ( MW). 300 megawatts for the mining industry and the other 32 relate to the population , " according to the Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity . National Electricity Company ( SNEL) was supposed to " buy electricity from Zambia to offset some of the deficit ," the Congolese government had promised to " make every effort " to it " honors commitments , including the payment of current directly to Zambia . " "Do had been problems with electricity, we would reach 1.8 million tonnes ," regretted for his part, Governor of Katanga, Moïse Katumbi in January 2014.In the same area , editing Dispatches Kinshasa Brazzaville emphasizes that the DRC is its Grand Inga project . This was entrusted to News Brazzaville engineer Bernard Diayele , coordinator of the Cell Project for which the DRC holds essential to develop this item which will support the economic boom . He relativized somewhat social and environmental impacts brandished by U.S. NGOs to discourage the DRC in this initiative. As a sovereign state , he has said , the DRC must build this dam with partners available.

Such as electricity and water are always good housekeeping, Phare reports on his side that experts have finished grooming the concession contract Regideso and stresses that the experts who met in Kinshasa from 24 to 25 February 2014 were stated that the text will be sent to the government revisited for appropriate use .

Community Consortium for the prevention against exploitation of women and children working in the sites of diamond and gold in Kasai - Occidental ( Cocopef ) deplores the living conditions of families in some mines Tshikapa and Luiza , reports Radio Okapi. According to the radio , these families were expelled from Angola and live in mines transformed into villages. The communication officer Cocopef Francis Kalonga says that these makeshift villages have no health facilities and schools.
The same media reports that the fee for registration of artisanal logging has increased from U.S. $ 500 to $ 600 last week. Artisanal loggers Kisangani complain about the 20% increase that was communicated to them at the time of payment of the tax to the one-stop management of revenues from the province , says Félicien Liofo their President . But according to the provincial Minister of Finance , the tax keeps the same price. Additional $ 100 cover administrative costs. On the market, the price of wood is the same. President artisanal loggers Kisangani said that any price increase would make a disservice to the people who already faced a price increase of approximately 40% wood there two weeks ago when the provincial government had adjusted the operating license fee. Tax which amounted to U.S. $ 500 for three years was readjusted to 500 dollar a year by the current provincial government .
Apparently , there is no problem for Kibali gold project on 10 permits covering 1,836 km2 in north- eastern DR Congo , which is " on track to meet the production target of 550,000 ounces of gold in 2014 , "said February 24 Mark Bristow, CEO of Randgold Resources Ltd listed on the London and NASDAQ , reports Agence Ecofin . "We have no concerns about how the market will be in 2014, we have a robust five-year plan to create value and we would like to comply," said Mr. Bristow, Randgold noting that models based entirely on the long-term price of U.S. $ 1,000 per ounce .
By cons , there is a theft problem in the east and Radio Okapi reports that 96 cows were stolen in two months in the Rusizi plain . A group of farmers complained of the theft by strangers. These flights cows are recorded in the group Kabunambo , Runingu , Kigoma Lemera and the City of Blood. The most recent event took place two days ago in the group to Namasenene Runingu . For their part , military sources say Sange not be aware of this theft . But they promise to inquire in to take adequate measures.According to the farmers of the area , Burundian rebels of the National Liberation Front (FNL) have won seventeen cows in the group Nyamutiri Lemera .

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, February 25, 2014

2014-02-25T01:55:00.000-08:00

Prosperité published the press release of the meeting of the troika strategic of DRC Government held Monday, February 24, 2014 and where you can read these excerpts: " The commodity prices mainly exported by the DRC showed a divergent trend While . copper prices rose 0.40 % to settle at $ 7,184.50 , against $ 7,156.00 a week earlier , the cobalt remained at $ 31,707.90 per tonne level this week . previous Regarding petroleum products , there is an increase both in the London market as one in New York, where prices are respectively presented as follows: $ 109.83 ( 0.67 %) and $ 102.38 ( 2.38 %) as regards the main cereal products , their prices are up compared to the previous week . $ 166.73 ( 3.16 %) for maize , $ 15.82 ( +0.38 %) for rice and $ 615.50 ( 3.84 %) for wheat.

In another area , that of the environment, Potentiel quotes the professor Dieudonné Musibono Eyul , Doctor of Sciences Environment Group , option Eco -toxicology and head of the Department of Environment to Unikin , who face the serious threat of pollution of environmental ecology , particularly in mining areas and major Congolese cities , believes that " the State must urgently enact legislation on environmental pollution in the DRC ."
The same media also reports that environmental NGOs are school -based management results and thanks to the training organized by the Kinshasa full support and community development ( CADIC ) Committee , with the support SGP / GEF for five days from the date of last Monday, February 24 . Depending on the potential , in his opening remarks , the representative of the Secretary General for the Environment, Gilbert Kilola , cited objectives of the workshop, namely to allow a dozen NGO beneficiaries to understand the relevance of using managing for results ; master the practical use of tools for managing for results in the programming, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of projects.Forum des As leads in Agriculture and rural development where the daily information that the Minister Jean -Chrysostome Vahamwiti participated on 19 and 20 February in Rome , Italy in the 37th session of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Ministers of Agriculture of the 173 member countries of the Fund assuming the duties of Governors - country . According to the newspaper , taking advantage of its participation in this meeting of the Italian capital , the Minister Vahamwiti focused on the opportunities of the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP ) , including a framework for mobilizing agricultural investors, agro parks -industrial , resumption of agricultural activity in areas of North Kivu and the availability of the DRC to accommodate investors in the agricultural sector.

For its part, the Congolese News Agency (ACP ) focuses on energy and reported that the President of the Republic , Joseph Kabila, has made Sunday " a technical visit and inspection " of the construction by Chinese society SYNOHYDRO of Zongo II hydroelectric dam in the province of Bas- Congo. The President of the Republic , who had in his suite MM . Bruno Kapandji Kalala and Eric Mbala , respectively Minister of Water Resources and Electric and CEO of the National Electricity Company (SNEL ) , visited alternately , armored gallery as well as manufacturing and installation of turbines and other accessories. Built on Inkisi River, Zongo II hydroelectric dam will have a capacity of 150 MW , with a factory of three machines of 50 MW each

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, February 24, 2014

2014-02-24T01:46:00.000-08:00

Nearly three weeks marked by extreme heat and dust of any kind drought put the uncomfortable Kinshasa . The rain has just fallen in Kinshasa. This suggests at the end of the heat. We recall in this regard that there is a week, the top management of SNEL ( Société Nationale d'Electricité ) announced severe power cuts due to the decline of the river , causing the famous problem of low water that the country has at times in recent years, inform the Phare. The daily adds . " Situation having an impact on the flow of the Congo River, which is no longer able to make the turbines Inga hydroelectric dam normally turn in the province of Bas- Congo This lack of rainfall situation during close three weeks was indeed observed in several provinces, including the city of Kinshasa , Bas- Congo ( province are erected facilities Inga ) , Bandundu , Equateur and Orientale province . some experts, the challenge that faces the Snel is not only related to the drought. It is also due to the inability of the company is digging out for the Congo River. A job that requires the use of dredges for to remedy the situation. It is important to note that this is the first time that the National Electricity Company announces disruptions related to power low flow during early dry season. Often this crisis of water Inga is experienced during the second part of the long dry season which begins around May 15 of each year. It is hoped that the likely return of the rains as announced yesterday, Sunday in the capital, SNEL will resume normal electric power supply of its subscribers . "
Leave the Congo River to Lake Tanganyika where Radio Okapi reports that hippos from the lake regularly invade four riparian areas in Uvira , over 120 km south of Bukavu, in South Kivu. By population, these pachyderms away about a mile from Lake Tanganyika , for more than a week to invade night Kilibula , Nyamianda , Kalundu Kasenga Kahorohoro and neighborhoods. They particularly devastated fields of cassava and sweet potatoes along Lake Tanganyika. According to local sources , more than three acres of corn planting were ravaged by hippos Kahorohoro neighborhood last week . Head for the neighborhood Kilibula Agnes Shagayo , its people are afraid to travel at night , afraid of being attacked by these animals. Local residents Kalundu , near Lake Tanganyika , have suffered several attacks last week of these behemoths .
The same media also reports that five days of the opening of the fishing Katanga provincial inspection of agriculture , livestock and fisheries regrets that the suspension of work decided last December was not respected parts of the province. Each year , the provincial authorities decide the closure of the fishery to allow fish reproduction . But this closure is not always respected. In the territories of Kasenga and Pweto , military and land chiefs are accused of collaborating with fishermen to organize a clandestine fishing during the closure

The Democratic Republic of Congo wants to stay in the treads of the first African countries struggling to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). To do this, the government, with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF ) organized , Friday, February 21, 2014 in the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa , a validation workshop of SO -PIN revised version, reports Prosperité . According to the newspaper , these studies , which lasted one day, showed the presence of 150 participants from central government, the provincial government of Bandundu , national and local NGOs, development partners and international NGOs . This national overhaul of the ER- PIN REDD + follows the observations and recommendations were made by the participants at the 7th session of the Committee of Participants Carbon Fund Forest Carbon Partnership (CP / FCPF ) Fund World Bank , which was held in June 2013 in Paris ( France ) . Opened by Bavo N'Sa Mputu Elima , Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, this working session led to the validation of the revision of the ER- PIN . There are only a defense with the Carbon Fund of the World Bank , the month of April 2014

For its part, the provincial government of South Kivu handed , Friday, Feb. 21 , two tons of healthy cassava cuttings to 1900 farmers Shabunda and surrounding relays Radio Okapi. According to the agricultural inspector Shabunda staffing these cutting,s to farmers is to fight against food insecurity. According to the same source , the goal is to enable these farmers to harvest cassava six months after each culture.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, February 21, 2014

2014-02-21T03:16:00.002-08:00

National Electricity Company ( SNEL ) announced in the coming days a "severe" load shedding in various cities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), informs Radio Okapi that indicates the general director of the company, Eric Mbala stated Thursday, February 20 in Kinshasa. According to him, this situation is due to the low water level affecting the entire watershed of the Congo River . This natural phenomenon has a rather serious impact on the level of electricity production that affects the state society in most power plants in the DRC. Eric Mbala cites Tshopo (Eastern Province) , Rusizi 1 (South Kivu ) , Inga (Bas- Congo ) and Nzilo ( Katanga ) and Nseke
Copperbelt province has serious problems. Potentiel notes that " the bishops tap his fist on the table ." The newspaper wrote: " the current plight of Katanga several reasons among which we mention : the weakness of the state authority , the maldistribution of wealth, the economic imbalance between urban and rural areas , frustration, impunity, etc. . " this is what emerges from the pastoral letter of the bishops of the Episcopal Assembly of the ecclesiastical province of Lubumbashi sent February 13, 2014 to the Catholic faithful and all people of good will . Katangan the bishops find in their province triple insecurity , namely socio-political , socio-economic and than environmental and health .

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, February 19, 2014

2014-02-19T01:44:00.000-08:00

The government will require international expertise to investigate the pollution of soil and watercourses and Kambove Likasi in Katanga province . The Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism , Bavo N'Samputu announced Monday, Feb. 17 during his stay in Likasi , informs Radio Okapi. He assured that in case of pollution, those responsible will be punished in accordance with Congolese law on the environment. According Bavo N'Sa Mputu international expertise will assess the level of environmental destruction . The central government had sent a mission in these two entities after the NGO Umoja fourteen accused mining companies pollute the environment , last October.
As part of the implementation of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment Sector ( ESESS ) Promines organized the workshop restitution of the study on sectoral Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment , Friday 14/ 02 / 2014 Kinshasa, reports the Agency Ecofin . Indeed , according to the implementation plan Promines project , evaluation of the impacts of mining on the socio -economic and environmental situation in the DRC was necessary in order to limit the negative aspects and optimize socio- environmental benefits , with the involvement of all stakeholders.

" Traffic animal species in eastern DRC The UN sanctions brandished against armed groups," informs l'Avenir noting that the United Nations threatens to punish all armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic Congo , which attack animals to finance their operations . This is indicated by a dispatch from the UN published yesterday in the site Africatime . The UN states that the individuals involved will be subject to travel bans and freezes their assets. The Council resolution also renewed the UN embargo on weapons sold to various militias in the country. The United Nations and want to alert traffic of ivory, become an important source of funding for armed militias , causing a depletion of elephants in the DRC.

The Congolese News Agency (ACP ) reports that a project to support the manufacture of fertilizers was launched Tuesday in Kinshasa for the market gardeners working in the communes of Lemba , Matete and Mont Ngafula at the initiative of an NGO called " Association for the promotion of social and agricultural initiatives ( APISA ) headed by Beatrice Badingidila . The project includes providing compost for gardeners to enable them to improve their production , said the president of the association , adding that these fertilizers will be collected at the municipal market Matete where its headquarters issue contribute also environmental sanitation , has she said.

Six people died of canine rabies about fifty recorded in one week in the territory of Cabinda and Lubao , district of Cabinda ( Kasai Oriental ), indicates Radio Okapi. The doctor in charge of epidemiological case in this district has delivered these figures in a report published Monday, February 17 . According to the report , the relatives of the deceased torched six houses belonging to the owners of dogs Cabinda , and 5 other houses in Lubao . Twenty people have fled their homes to escape the repression of the families of victims Kabinda and Lubao

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, February 17, 2014

2014-02-17T01:57:00.001-08:00

" Virunga : The OECD supports WWF 's complaint against Soco International PLC" , informs editing of Kinshasa of Dépêches de Brazzaville. According to the paper , the application lodged by the international NGO WWF concerning alleged violations of human rights and environmental protection related to business operations in the Virunga National Park , a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In its complaint, the WWF said Soco has violated the most respected in the field of corporate social responsibility in its search for oil in Virunga National Park standards.

A miner died in clashes between colleagues , the police guard mines and industrial mining company Tenke Fungurume Mining ( TFM) in the concession of this 200 km from Lubumbashi, Saturday, February 15 , Radio Okapi reports The sources also claim that on-site 16 policemen were injured and that the social office TFM has been damaged. Calm returned on the same day through the deployment of several units of the Territorial police at the scene , according to the secretary of the head of coaching Tenke post.

Artisanal logging must draw its base in 2002 enacted the Forest Code , for the proper management of forest resources in the DRC , said the coordinator of the Natural Resources Network (NRN ), Joseph Bobia , in its report on the operation illegal timber recently released, reports the Congolese news Agency (ACP). The report notes that all artisanal logging is not illegal but it must meet the standards set by the Ministry of Environment , Nature Conservation and Tourism, in accordance with the order no035/CAB/MIN/ECN-EF / 2006 of 5 October 2006 concerning forestry. It is in this context that organizations of environmental civil society issued an alert about the looting of forest resources to local communities by industrial and artisanal mining companies , indicating that these industries violate the principles on the exercise of forestry activities, the type of document to obtain the authority to give permission to craft cutting authority.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, February 14, 2014

2014-02-14T01:48:00.000-08:00

Three international NGOs call on the UK authorities to open "quickly" an investigation against two companies of this country, Hussar Services Limited based in London and Hussar Limited headquartered in Jersey ( the Channel Islands ) . These associations accuse these companies have melted gold looted between 2004 and 2005 in Ituri ( Orientale Province) , reports Radio Okapi. This call is contained in a statement issued Tuesday, February 4th with Radio Okapi has received a copy. To date, Hussar Hussar Services Limited and Limited and their leaders have never had to account for their key role in this lucrative transnational gold stained company which is the subject of the complaint filed in Switzerland , complain Conflict Awareness Project , Open Society Justice Initiative and Track Impunity Always ( Trial) in this release.

Taking the same information, the Potentiel indicates that contacted about this by Radio Okapi , the Embassy of Great Britain in Kinshasa said that the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited British companies to operate responsibly in the abroad, in accordance with all relevant national and international laws and human rights that form the values of British society. Britain says encourage Furthermore, all these companies to fully integrate social responsibility into their operations abroad . It urges them not to operate in areas of conflict. As a reminder, between 2004 and 2005 , gold worth about $ 40 million was looted in a gold mining concession near the town of Mongbwalu , 80 km north of Bunia in Ituri. This concession was controlled by the FNI.

DRC natural resources press review of Thursday, February 13, 2014

2014-02-13T06:20:00.002-08:00

The administrator of Shabunda , Daniel Eloko Nsala , suspended since Tuesday, 11 February semi-industrial gold mining in Ulindi River, Shabunda in South Kivu . He blames the operators do not perform actions visible development impact for the benefit of the local population , reports Radio Okapi. Civil society and local population have established a set of specifications that will present these operators . Local populations of the river Ulindi have five main requirements: 1. The electricity for the entire city of Shabunda , which has not since independence in 1960 2. The drinking water supply for the city that has only managed six sources of drinking water for 32,000 people ; 3 . Rehabilitation of roads 4. Building schools and 5. Job creation .

"Fix the low rate of access to water, Regideso called to soften quote connection ," says l'Avenir, which writes: " The drinking water supply project in urban areas ( PEMU ) just launched , appears to observers as a challenge facing the access to drinking water in the city province of Kinshasa deficit. This , despite the existence of different production plants for drinking water, rehabilitated , among other station N'Djili module 3. Yet , this pilot project is rooted in the low rate of access to drinking water in DRC, compared to misallocation . Incidentally, the water produced by the Regideso experiencing failure of the pipe to reach all segments of the population . Indeed, 25,000 social connections are retained in a first time in the city - province of Kinshasa. example, the World Bank, to facilitate access to the water, assumed the cost of materials , which once was a burden to any applicant . Nevertheless, Regideso requires the sum of 46,500 Fc (equivalent to U.S. $ 50 ) ... the newspaper considers it desirable Regideso that can relax the specifications for connecting other categories whose exorbitant amount is likely to discourage subscribers because " water, that's life ."

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, February 12, 2014

2014-02-12T04:16:00.002-08:00

Breeders North African immigrants in Eastern Province Mbororos require land to settle permanently in Dungu. According to the administrator of this territory, these 77 men, armed, are already present in the Garamba Park where they graze their herds of some 3,000 animals. The army claims to have halted their advance towards Dungu Centre, reports Radio Okapi. The administrator of Dungu, Edmond Lokakao promises to refer to its officials in this case. Meanwhile, another mission plans to meet these farmers to discuss these issues.

"The managing director Jacques Mukalyi is for dynamic, balanced and respectable Regideso", informs the Phare quotes the number one authority for water distribution society at the end of the 26th General Assembly frames leaders of this public company.

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, February 11, 2014

2014-02-11T01:22:00.001-08:00

The Prime Minister , Head of Government , presided over Monday, February 10, 2014 , the sixth ordinary meeting of the Strategic troika since the beginning of this year. The evolution of interesting materials during the Congolese economy shows slight increases for oil , cobalt , wheat and corn. Downward trends were observed for copper and rice, informs Prosperité .

" Hands off compensation fees and charges for services rendered to the export of mining products : Deo Rugwiza and Moses Katumbi neutralized Patrice Kitebi " reports the Etoile du Matin. According to this biweekly " height of Ministerial Order No. 126/CAB/MIN/Finances/2013 31 August 2013, the Minister for Finance had suffered two setbacks that made him lose all credibility. Minister Patrice Kitebi sent Dg with the LDB , Deo Rugwiza , his advisor Selemani to remove a portion of the pot that had previously been blocking the Single Window . These are fees and expenses compensation for services rendered in the operation of mining products in accordance with Article 234 paragraph 3 of the mining Code still in force. as evidence of premeditation , the Minister Kitebi gave his order retroactive entry into force is 1 January 2013 , the month in which he gave order to DGDA block the release of these fees and taxes. Given the flagrante delicto and the illegality of the process Patrice Kitebi , Dg Rugwiza ignored that it was indeed his minister and refused to harvest to give Selemani . setbacks Second , this is the one he was subjected Governor of Katanga, Moïse Katumbi ... "

Remain in the mines, where Radio Okapi indicates that the consultation Framework of civil society Likasi confirmed the presence of women and minors in career Kamantanda, in Katanga. The president of this organization , Theodore Sapu , stated , Sunday, Feb. 9 , at a meeting with community leaders. During the visit of Martin Kobler , the head of MONUSCO , on this site last week , community leaders had suggested to him that the women and children were not working in the mine . Theodore Sapu belies this statement and indicates that women and children involved in the mine involved the evacuation of ores of copper and cobalt extracted from the basement to the place of washing. According to him, the aim of the investigations by the organization is to get these children to return to school.

In the energy sector , the publishing of Kinshasa of Dépêches de Brazzaville reports " significant progress in the implementation of the Inga 3 project." According to the newspaper , the last technical meeting between Congolese and southern Africa in Pretoria from February 5 to 9 provides further evidence of the interest of the different partners in the implementation of the Inga 3 project. The Pretoria meeting is an important step in preparing a roadmap to the way the various recommendations of the heads of state and leading to the signing of a trade agreement for the operation of Inga 3 dam.

" Bandundu and Equateur : the logging does not bring development," announces the Phare reports a press conference held by Joseph Bobia , Network Coordinator natural resources. According to him, " non-compliance with social clauses and some non-compliant practices by operators of wood at the base of several difficulties. Instead of obtaining industrial license , some work with operating permits craft . They engage in illegal logging of timber involving police against local communities. He said that civil society bemoan the lack of governance on the part of managers in the sector . "

Two poachers Nsemu locality in the territory of Mushie district Mai Ndombe , Bandundu Province , were recently killed by the gamekeeper JVL , a breeding company located in the same country , 165 km from Bandundu city , informs the Congolese news Agency (ACP). These include victims of antisocial hunters operating in the concession of JVL . Having learned of the death of their own, informed source, the villagers have taken Nsemu camp workers of this company before slaughter some heads of its livestock and burning of homes . A large delegation of the Committee of Homeland Security descended on the scene of the tragedy to inquire about the situation.

In the same vein , the ACP informs the provincial Minister of Environment and Conservation Katanga Audax Sompwe banned the sale of dog meat in Lubumbashi since Saturday, February 8 . He announced the measure during a meeting with the mayor and the mayors of all municipalities. The Minister asked the mayors to close all illegal dog abattoirs, and track those who tear down and eat the meat of these animals. Audax Sompwe says that consumption of dog meat has been " worrying proportions " in the city of Lubumbashi where we are witnessing the last time the slaughter of these pets at a breakneck pace , before stressing that the dog should be protected like any other pet. It also evokes the unhygienic conditions in which the meat is prepared. Lack of hygiene risk , according to him, to harm the health of city residents who eat dogs.

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, February 10, 2014

2014-02-10T04:50:00.002-08:00

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR ) certified , Friday, Feb. 7 , ores Kalindi territory in South Kivu . This is the first mining certificate of the sub- regional organization issued to mines in the province, announces Radio Okapi that indicates the certificate with the ICGLR , only mines the territory of Kalindi can now export their minerals. In August 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC ) in the U.S. State Department issued a rule requiring U.S. companies that use tungsten, tantalum, gold and tin to make their various products and ensure to make public the source of these minerals. This law should be applicable by 31 May 2014. Minerals produced in the provinces of North and South Kivu were affected by this measure, given that many mining sites were under the control of armed groups. Well before the issuance of the ICGLR , mining companies use the old certificate called the root certificate for the exploitation of minerals in eastern DRC. For the president of the civil society in South Kivu , Descartes Mponge , the ICGLR has not suspended the certificate of origin. He believes that the suspension of the old certificate presents a risk to the economic and security fields in South Kivu .
" French Giant hydro for water transport equipment, Interhydro foothold in Kinshasa " , informs the tri-weekly Africa News . According to the newspaper , two senior officials of the company have visited Kinshasa from 26 to 30 January 2014 and took language with the authorities of the country and some operators in the water sector , as well as several non-governmental organizations campaigning to promote the population access to drinking water. This flurry of activity carried out by officials of Interhydro is placed in the context of planning their next location in the DRC, the newspaper said .
Villagers Wenge and Bolongo Netherlands compete for the management of the crossing of the river that separates the two areas more than 250 km west of Kisangani, in the territory of Isangi (Eastern Province) , reports Radio Okapi. The people of Bolongo Netherlands have developed both banks of the river to manage only the crossing. Following the tensions which ensued , the Netherlands Bolongo attacked the village of Wenge with white and gun weapons. The violence lasted three days. Three people were seriously injured and several families took refuge in the forest to escape the violence. The chiefdom authorities and Balomboki Baluola is suspended across that stream to favor peace. The association of boatmen , meanwhile , regrets the shortfall occasioned by this prohibition.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, January 7, 2014

2014-02-07T03:29:00.001-08:00

The series on the exploitation of oil in the Virunga National Park continues. " The communities of Lake Edward mobilize against activities Soco " indicates the Kinshasa edition of Dépêches of Brazzaville. According to the newspaper , " the residents of Lake organized a series of protests against the oil development project of the British oil company Soco Plc in Block 5 of the Albertine Graben . For these consist essentially of fishing communities and farmers, You just cancel the permits granted to the oil company. They expressed their concerns about the possible impacts of this oil exploitation on their livelihoods. civil society in North Kivu , for his part, reiterated its opposition to this project and warned that the population had not been consulted and informed adequately. Meanwhile, Soco already planning the next start seismic tests on Lake Edward with , in the background , the impacts of this exploratory phase , including pollution and contamination of water . "On the same subject, the Potentiel indicates that " WWF condemns repression of demonstrators surrounding communities ." In a press release WWF operated by the daily , which quotes the president of the NGO IDPE , Lukambo Bantu , who said: " On February 1 , Kiwanja , several protesters were arrested and imprisoned and that 3 of the same. month , a demonstration was dispersed Vitshumbi " . And the president Bantu Lukambo to note : "No one knows the catastrophic consequences that can have the oil activity on their sources of income." The newspaper notes that demonstrations began when held in Goma a workshop organized by the Minister of Oil and Electricity ."Electricity : First setback for Inga III " ad publishing Kinshasa edition of Dépêches of Brazzaville. According to the newspaper , " the Board of Directors of the World Bank has announced the postponement of the meeting of February 11, after which the 188 member states will be asked to validate a loan of $ 73 million for this large hydroelectric project in the DRC. no date has been set for the next meeting focused on this topic. Kinshasa was quick to put things into perspective by emphasizing the fact that this is a report and not the delivery question of Inga III " project. The paper highlights the fact that " this report comes amid a controversy over whether the project. In the process, we cited the correspondence written by twelve Congolese NGOs at the end of January in which they expressed doubts about the ability of the project to help the country bridge the energy gap . beyond , they expressed concerns about its impact on local populations . "

In this regard, the Potentiel reaction publishes the World Bank denies withdrawal from the Inga III project despite the postponement of its meeting in Washington. According to the tabloid , the World Bank said Wednesday not to withdraw a large hydroelectric project in the DRC, raising concerns of civil society . "Our commitment to the project Inga III remains unchanged ," said David Theis, spokeswoman for the World Bank.

" The truth about Kinsevere " , informs the Congo News biweekly returning on information relating " Panamanian oil wealth Moses Katumbi " The newspaper writes . . " An old story that Moses Katumbi is a Belgian media said the has resurrected another , that one Congolese rd relayed . This is mine Kinsevere why Katumbi is accused of using his position to buy cheaply and sell more expensive. Yet at the time the acquisition of the mine in 2006 Katumbi was not yet governor of Katanga. only his flair man warned the business guided to bet on an unknown mining concession almost all in the bush . "

Bushfires ravaged nearly 20 hectares of forest in a month in the biosphere reserve of the National Institute of Agronomic Studies and Research ( INERA ) Yangambi (Eastern Province) , reports Radio Okapi. The group of environmental organizations Tshopo deplore the loss of several protected plant species . He believes that individuals deliberately set fire to these forests. The last forest fire recorded in the reserve back to last week. According to Jean Mangala , an official of the group of environmental NGOs Tshopo , fire spread over a distance of about 1 km and has also reached the office of the provincial subdivision of primary, secondary and vocational Isangi I. An agent of this subdivision states that the office of the institution and all retained documents were burned . A few weeks earlier , a forest located near the farm of INERA has also been ravaged by a wildfire. For officials to Inera Yangambi bushfires promote the disappearance of some rare plant species in this reserve.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, February 5, 2014

2014-02-05T02:31:00.005-08:00

" Looting the wealth of the DRC : the revelations multiply ," the Phare which emphasizes that " One after two revelations shock : one concerns the acquisition cheaply a very important oil block located in the area of common interest between the DRC and Angola, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. the beneficiary bears a famous name for stirring many cases in the mining sector in Katanga. He just made a big splash in the oil field. According to the World, Dan Getler , an Israeli issue that has good friendly relations with major political notables in power in the DRC would have typed a paltry $ 500,000 Us block 14 that would later sold the stock market to more than 150 million dollars of Us one tells that this sale has cost the DRC and that each year the tidy sum of one billion dollars of Us the other revelation that fell there a week ago in the writings of our Belgian colleague " Marianne " indicates that Moses Katumbi , current governor of Katanga, would head a discrete Panamanian company founded in late 2006, in which he would have placed the sum of 60 million U.S. dollars . a money raised in just 18 months thanks to a mining deal at least suspect. through its entries within closed circles manager Gécamines Moses Katumbi have obtained for a mouthful of bread exploitation rights for a period of 25 years, three major mineral deposits of copper and cobalt located in communities Kinsevere Tshifufia Nambulwa and north-east of Lubumbashi. according to these sources , this mouthful of bread would have earned 60 times his bet , ie the sum of 61.5 million Us dollars in a year and a half. has also been reported that only the mining project Kinsevere was valued at 435 million Euros. according to our Sister Marianne , thanks to this mounting the governor of Katanga have mounted an offshore company called GKMC domiciled in Panama , one of the tax havens of the Planet " . The newspaper These revelations have common point of purchase , at a low price of oil deposits or mining through relationships with managers Gécamines or political support at the top of the state. Other strategies include grab by unsavory methods of mining and oil sites in particular least introduced to sell at exorbitant prices to some very powerful buyers. The daily calls for transparency in business.

" The course of the main raw materials of the DRC have evolved in 2013 ," announces Forum des As which brings a synthesis of the meeting of the Strategic Troika led by Prime Minister Matata Ponyo yesterday Tuesday, February 4, 2014 . According to the newspaper , "On 31 January 2013 , prices of main raw materials exported by the DRC have diverged . Copper has lost 1.79 % of its value compared to the previous week, and has sold Usd 7,154.00 per tonne. cobalt , meanwhile , has increased by 2.06% from its course , to $ 30,605.40 usd per tonne. regarding petroleum products , it was an increase of oil prices in the two markets : 107.83 ( 0.07 %) in London and 97.45 (+1.1 %) on the New York market . "

Prosperité issues a statement of Tenke Fungurume Mining SARL results for the fourth quarter 2013. It says : " Tenke Fungurume Mining ( TFM) is pleased to announce that during the fourth quarter of 2013 , it produced approximately 50,645 tonnes of copper cathode and 4,247 tonnes of cobalt metal as hydroxide cobalt. for fiscal 2013, TFM produced approximately 209,774 tonnes of copper cathode and 12,751 tonnes of cobalt metal in the form of cobalt hydroxide . fourth quarter 2013, the company paid a net amount of about 63 million USD in respect of taxes and related payments to the Treasury and other public administrative services of the DRC. for fiscal 2013, these payments totaled 173 million USD . All payments are in accordance with the laws of the DRC. Since the project started in 2006 , these payments amounted to a total of approximately 890 million USD . "

Another folder , Radio Okapi reports that the fish become rare week markets Bukama , over 160 km south of Kamina , Katanga . According to local sources , this is a consequence of the closure of the fishery in the lakes and rivers of this province. The provincial government took the decision last December to support fish reproduction . Civil society is concerned about the impact of this closure on the population of this waterfront city, living in majority of fishing. Since the closure of fishing Bukama , 15 fishermen were arrested for violating this decision. According to the head of the association of sinners Bukama Dieudonné Mbayo , they face enormous difficulties in ensuring their survival since the closure of the fishery.

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, February 3, 2014

2014-02-03T03:26:00.000-08:00

" An as yet unpublished report by Reuters had access reported $ 3.7 billion embezzled with the complicity of customs authorities of Katanga between 2008 and 2013 amid embezzlement and bad tax practices " , informs edition of Kinshasa of Dépêches of Brazzaville. According to the newspaper , several local mining companies are indexed. This is the first conclusions of the commission of inquiry sent by the Attorney General of the Republic to ensure the veracity of the facts. Addition to the twenty -five cases of potential customs offenses listed , eleven companies were targeted come beholden à-vis the tax authorities with a total of $ 741 million in fines and unpaid taxes. Companies complained support not having been contacted by investigators who have intentionally increased amounts due to harm their interests.

On the oil sector , Radio Okapi reports that civil society in Kyaviyongé chiefdom Bashu in the territory of Beni in North Kivu said opposed the decision of the Congolese Government to allow the British company International Socco operation and oil exploration in Block 5 of the Virunga National Park . According to the radio , the president of the association , Michael Avi- Welle, said Saturday 1 February that oil activity does not benefit the local population with the majority living from fishing . To express his discontent , civil society organized a protest march in the Saturday morning in the town of Kyaviyongé . Walking is part of the office of the town to drop the office of chief administrative management position . Michael Avi- Welle said he filed a memorandum with the police chief . He asked him to convey to the Congolese government and the international business Socco . "This agreement states that the government's budget will increase but what he said in relation to the local population, what will it benefit after oil exploitation ? Nothing at all, " he says.

The manufacturing soap of Mbuji-Mayi ( Savoca ) was inaugurated Thursday, January 30 in the capital of Kasai Oriental. It belongs to a Congolese said to have invested more than U.S. $ 600,000 . This company has a daily production capacity of seventy tons , according to its chemical engineer , announces Radio Okapi. According to the engineer of the company, this soap will produce laundry soaps , towels , liquid soap , soap powder and anti -mosquito soap, but said she is still in its experimental phase. And during this period , the daily production of Savoca will be 15 tons of laundry soaps , sachets each containing 5000 representing 9 bars of soap.

UN radio reports that sweet potatoes have flooded the consumer market Mbandaka ( Equateur ) from Tuesday, January 28 . These products come from the village Ilema , about 30 kilometers from the city where the NGO MND , " Mama is Nzela o Development" , with the support of WFP, had grown 3 hectares, to support the families of malnourished children. To believe the women revendeuses sweet potatoes Tuesday a vehicle meets these tubers arrived in the big market from the locality Ilema . The arrival of these sweet potatoes automatically lowers the price of sweet potatoes on the market. The NGO MND sells a pool of 40 pounds to 350 Congolese francs (U.S. $ 0.38) , whereas before , the bucket 20 kg was sold at 400 Congolese francs (U.S. $ 0.43) .

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, January 31, 2014

2014-01-31T02:18:00.002-08:00

" The Senate vote laws on national education and the environment," informs Potentiel . As regards the environment , the daily reports that conservation is currently governed by the Ordinance of 22 August 1969 whose implementation has been difficult not having planned measures execution. But the text adopted by the Senate introduced some major innovations including the definition of general measures for conservation of biological diversity and the use of its components , and the obligation on public authorities to define the mechanisms of awareness, information and public participation in the process of developing and implementing the national policy on conservation of biological diversity , etc. .

Measuring provisional prohibition of fishing on the rivers of the province of Katanga is not respected by Bukama fishermen , according to the department responsible for monitoring fishing in this part of the country . These fishermen often use prohibited nets also catch fry , says Radio Okapi.

The company Regal Resources Ltd announced on January 30 ready to start in the first week of February the drilling program Kalongwe project on high-grade copper and cobalt on the Copperbelt world class the Central Africa, reports Agence Ecofin . This is the first phase of this program with 11 diamond drill holes over a length of 1.8 km, which would be completed within eight weeks. The program aims to test the extension of the mineralization of copper and cobalt as well as the continuity of the mineralization in large spaces between two consecutive holes . It also aims to confirm a previous report of drilling on a 450m long and deep mineralization approximately 250m , which revealed levels of which 90.23 m @ 3.38% Cu with 0.93% Co, 77.60 m @ 4 14 % Cu with 0.57% Co and 70.00 m @ 2.22% Cu with 0.84% Co. the samples will be sent to ALS Laboratories in Johannesburg which will make the results within four weeks after the end of the drilling program.

The Congolese News Agency (ACP ) reports that the government has recently signed a concession contract with the American company "Global" for the development of the Steel Maluku , said Thursday in Kinshasa , the Minister of Industry small and medium enterprises, Remy Musungayi , on the occasion of the double installation ceremony Stewards administration and exchange wishes for the year 2014. The Minister has not given any details of the contract , however, he suggested that fresh capital will be made for the recovery of activities of this plant. He reassured the steel workers that this contract is a buoy oxygen for survival and restarting activities . Musungayi Minister took the opportunity to take stock of the activities of the sector , before calling the task assigned to his department , to ensure that the promotion of agro- industry.

Tenke Fungurume Mining ( TFM) claims to have developed and implemented an action plan for the rehabilitation of evicted from their village in 2006 where he operates Fungurume minerals families , says Radio Okapi. The mining giant says you apply this plan 2007-2009 . The company is responding to the complaint of 113 families who call her housing allowances . They addressed their complaint on January 18 civil society Fungurume . As part of this relocation project , 270 households in the village were relocated Mulumbu supports TFM . The families and their committee representatives are directly involved in the development of the action plan reintegration , added the company. Tenke Fungurume Mining states that 45 other households were relocated to another village without saying which one. The company added that it continues to engage regularly with households through advisory committees established for each community affected by the relocation. And stressed that the meetings with these committees are held throughout the relocation process.

DRC natural resources of press review of Thursday, January 30, 2014

2014-01-30T03:59:00.000-08:00

The land law will soon translated into four national languages of the Democratic Republic of Congo , in order to facilitate understanding among the people , to avoid uncontrolled developments and preserve the cities slums, said Monday , Robert Mbuinga Minister land Affairs , who was speaking in a television program on land policy in the DRC, informs the Congolese news Agency (ACP). He , on this occasion, advocated the creation of viable land reserves in all provinces before considering any subdivision that must imperatively meet government guidelines on the matter. The development of these land reserves by property developers through their own means or bank lending , provide for the construction of houses on each site according to the model provided by the government.

Agents committed to tollgate erected on the road to Kolwezi , Likasi height Lualaba bridge Tuesday seized a truckload of whose weight is estimated at 22 tonnes mining, reports the Congolese News Agency (ACP). Mr. Eddy Kapend , agent service , this truck came from the career Kisanfu and all the seized goods were returned to the city of Kolwezi pending instructions from the hierarchy. These raw mining products come from stolen mining Gécamines .

" Hydrocarbons Law : Global Witness welcomes the decision of the DRC to suspend its adoption " , announces the publication of Kinshasa of Dépêches de Brazzaville. In a statement, the newspaper reported , the NGO believes that a new hydrocarbons law could help restore order in the area including measures energetic transparency.

The Agency Ecofin reports that the Katende hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 60 MW , in Kasai Occidental , is a level of achievement of 24% , after the revival of work in October 2013. The book of $ 280 million , expected to face growing demand for electricity in Kasai Occidental , has a mixed funding of $ 168 million from the Indian government and approximately $ 112 million DR Congo . The development work was slowed by heavy rains in the region and a delivery of heavy equipment to the site late.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, January 29, 2014

2014-01-29T02:18:00.001-08:00

The high concentration of natural gas in Lake Kivu raises many questions about the environmental risks that could cause this concentration already concerned local residents. The Minister of the Environment, Bavo N'sa Mputu Elima and the Water Resources responded to a topical issue put to them by Senator Hamouli Kitsa . The press reported this session .

The Minister of the Environment informed the members of the Upper House of Parliament on this issue , saying that the government is hard at work to find appropriate solutions that clean and take this reality, announces Potentiel .

For Prosperité , the Minister Nsa Mputu specified aspects of environmental issues posed by the concentration of gases and their use for the production of utility power. The latter is in the prerogatives of other departments, he informed . But regarding his ministry, he discussed the specific issue on the impact of concentration of natural gas on human health, wildlife and flora.

Forum des As also reports the reaction of the Minister of Water Resources and Electric , Bruno Kapandji . Following the concern consisting ie when Goma , Sake , Minova, Bweremena , etc. . will be powered by current from methane gas from Lake Kivu, minister to justify the lack of electricity in Goma and its hinterland , has questioned the age of the production tool machines at the center of Rusizi I and II in that the power transmission line as in the network and at the receiving station . To circumvent these difficulties, the Government relies on the entry into force of the new law on electricity, a revolutionary law that will boost and energize all projects lying in this sector.

In the hydrocarbon sector , returning to the Global Witness report , the biweekly the Maximum talks on omissions of the international NGO. The newspaper reports : "What Global Witness dare not reveal to treat Nessergy file is also in that Gertler is far from being the only recipient of human rights under the conditions complained of, it is ie, without public bidding . Several other buyers of mineral rights exist, including British Energy and SOCO Gulf , on which Global Witness is more discreet. and that can intrigue rightly . "

Accused of having been reckless in dealing with fraud a transaction between the oil company and the Congolese government Nessergy , Global Witness responds , says his side Radio Okapi, his report is based on facts. " We exchanged a lot with officials Nessergy before publishing ," said Nathaniel Dyer, campaigner in the British NGO . Speaker on the eve radio, spokesman Fleurette group, Nessergy is a subsidiary, had accused the report of being tainted with much lightness.

On another area , Radio Okapi reports that the National Electricity Company ( SNEL ) is nearly 780,000 U.S. dollars to Gold Corporation Kivu and Maniema ( Sakima ) . According to the vice -president of the mining company , this amount is the invoice consumption of electricity produced by hydroelectric Luuzi Lukulu between April 2007 and January 2014. This plant belongs to the Sakima . Snel distributes and markets in the town of Kindu the electric current produced by the Central Sakima . Officials Snel Kindu say that late payment is caused by the insolvency of certain services and public enterprises. The provincial director of Snel Maniema , Georges Muetu , cites the case of the province Governorate , the National Railway Company of Congo, the board of water supply, the RVA and national cable television network via satellite.

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, January 28, 2014

2014-01-28T06:01:00.001-08:00

The report by the NGO Global Witness published January 23, 2014 in connection with the oil industry continues to make waves in the Congolese press . Recall that Global Witness has criticized the fact that the company has sold Nessergy the Congolese government oil block located off the Atlantic coast Congolese to 150 million U.S. dollars in 2012 , while the oil company had bought 500 000 U.S. dollars in 2006. The British NGO speaks of deception that has produced a huge profit.

"Folder Nessergy an unacceptable cabal : the opposition forces with a" foreign NGOs " to destabilize the DRC," fills the Manchette . For everyday , " in a fierce attempt, the opposition wants to destabilize totally DRC enjoys a transaction to prevent the country becoming a major oil producer ."" Dan Gertler denounces, Oil/ Hidden agenda against the DRC " , says Prosperité . " It is the will of Nessergy to release its rights has created this huge potential for DRC, authorizing it to negotiate a contract Production Sharing with Angola. Moreover insists does we , prior to participation in the establishment of the zone of common interest ( Zic ) , the DRC had no lawful maritime law in the Zic , depending on the version of Dan Gertler , " the newspaper said .

For its part, Radio Okapi has been talk François Ndjeka spokesman in Kinshasa Fleurette Group of Israeli businessman Dan Getler , which is a subsidiary Nessergy . The latter accused Global Witness investigation to be tainted with a lot of levity . Without denying the figures given , says François Ndjeka Nessergy has not received special legislation because it belongs to Dan Getler but was subject to the same law as all other investors .Another sector, the Potentiel indicates that the FEC is supported by Katumbi . According to the daily , for a first attempt, the Katanga branch of the Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC ) had a master stroke . Its president, Eric Monga Sombe , is lucky to have initiated the first roundtable on mining subcontracting. Now , local entrepreneurs in Katanga in particular, and the DRC in general want their share in the mining boom in the province. In this fight , they can count on the support of the governor of Katanga, Moïse Katumbi who considers himself as a mere "product of outsourcing ."
Radio Okapi confirms this information by stating that the provincial authorities of Katanga call companies located in the province to promote labor Congolese efforts to reduce the unemployment rate . They made the call last Friday, January 24 during a roundtable organized by the Federation of Enterprises of Congo ( FEC) on the organization of subcontracting in this mineral-rich province. Participants in this roundtable include regretted that subcontracting in the mining sector is almost exclusively reserved for foreigners. According to them, yet there is Congolese companies capable of providing the same services requested foreign
In the forestry sector , several environmental advocacy organizations denounce since the beginning of 2014 the illegal timber trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo , says the Observateur announcing that last week again, 15 Greenpeace France siglées in " Checking Brigade du Bois" combinations have the seizure of illegal timber in the port of Caen. A long log of approximately 7.50 m was placed on the back of a truck to be presented to the French authorities as evidence . The convoy was eventually blocked by the police

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, January 27, 2014

2014-01-27T04:13:00.002-08:00

The latest report by the NGO Global Witness published January 24 interested the press today . "According to Global Witness , the DRC refused to publish a deficit oil agreement with an offshore company " writes the Phare. According to the paper , the DRC signed an agreement to buy oil rights to a secret offshore company for an amount that is probably hundreds of times higher than the price paid by the company several years ago . The contract of the last sale was not published , which is contrary to the Congolese laws on transparency.

For Potentiel "Attacks against Nessergy around Cohydro - Sonangol contract : Global Witness is wrong ." According to the daily , the latest report from Global Witness has been used by some opinion to thwart negotiations underway to finalize the signing of new production sharing agreement between Angola and the DRC in the area of mutual interest ( Zic ) . The unfounded attacks and unfounded accusations show that the NGO is wrong and serves as a relay for destabilizing the DRC.

"Oil : Kinshasa runs a big risk ," announces Tempête des tropiques who believes that while the agreement between Sonangol and Cohydro via Nessergy benefit the DRC is being finalized , a report is to create discord . The daily stresses that well informed of negotiations between Angola and the DRC on a new agreement in the area of common interest people were not surprised by the timing of the last report by Global Witness on Nessergy . The negotiations are in their final phase, the parties are trying to sabotage the agreement that would free up capital and extraordinary value to the future of the DRC in the oil sector.

Also in the oil sector, the Phare reports that the DRC has suspended the adoption by Parliament of a draft law on hydrocarbons controversial to devote more time to the achievement of consulting work . Congolese MPs, donor governments , UNESCO and campaigners , including Global Witness , accused the law does not include any strong measures in the fight against corruption and environmental protection .

Remain on the protection of the environment where the Phare reports that Friday, January 24, 2014 , the General Secretariat for the Environment and Conservation , the Council for Environmental Defense by legality and traceability ( CODELT ), in partnership with the Centre for International Forestry Research ( CIFOR ) organized a workshop on " sharing information / knowledge on REDD + in the DRC ." According to the newspaper , along with other Central African countries , the DRC is committed to coordinating efforts for the conservation and sustainable management of forests.

To promote the development of the DRC, a research center for renewable energies inaugurated Saturday, January 25, 2014 Higher Institute of Applied Technical ( Ista ) to Kinhasa, announces the Phare . The Ista works in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain. According to the newspaper , is to become a provider of solutions and components Infrastructure Electrification of rural areas there was the establishment of the research center .

In addition, three people were killed and another seriously injured in a landslide earth occurred on the night of Saturday, January 25 , in the city of Bukavu (South Kivu ) , Radio Okapi says . According to the mayor of the municipality of Kadutu This disaster is due to the rain that hit the provincial capital of South Kivu. The house where the victims ( a mother and two children ) slept was completely destroyed . Rainwater that have nowhere to dump end up in houses crumbling and dig erosions in this part of Bukavu. Measures demolitions were taken to demolish houses built on hazardous sites.

The same media also informs that the NGO Human Rights based in Bunia Equitas indicates that several species of fish are endangered in Lake Albert . According to the NGO , this river has only seven species of fish quarantine that were previously recorded. Equitas attributed the disappearance of fish in violation of the regulation of fishing in this lake. The closure of the fishery , which officially takes three months from 15 January of each year is not respected. Mathieu me Komanda responsible programs Equitas , accuses the union of fishermen not to comply with these regulations in 1935 .
In the same register, Radio Okapi reports that more than a month after the closure of the fishery in Katanga , the measure is variously applied . In other parts of the province , the closure of the fishery is not well respected , unlike Bukama , informs the local department responsible for fisheries monitoring . Local authorities welcome the intensification of the fight against illegal fishing possible . For the inspector of agriculture , fisheries and livestock land Bukama , respect for the suspension of fishing would be due to changing strategies this year different from those of last year .

The agency DIA (Documentation and Information for Africa) returns to artisanal mining and industrial Walikale . "After the report of the Episcopal Commission for Natural Resources (CERN) on" the impact of mining on the economy and social Walikale "in the province of North Kivu , the agency DIA went to collect the reaction of MP Juvenal Munubo elected Walikale on this subject . While sharing the opinions of the CERN Juvenal Munubo advocates cohabitation between artisanal mining and industrial exploitation if we wants to be realistic . But , with the purpose to limit artisanal mining in favor of the industry .

The same agency reports that officials from various observatories Natural Resources ( ORN ) of the CERN from various dioceses of the DRC , from 20 to 24 January 2014 in Kinshasa, participated in an evaluation workshop and orientation of their different activities.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, January 15, 2014

2014-01-15T02:47:00.003-08:00

Led by its President , Bishop Fridolin Ambongo , Bishop of Bokungu - Ikela , the Episcopal Commission for Natural Resources (CERN - CENCO ) presented yesterday at the inter- center in Kinshasa a study on the economic and social impact of mining Walikale . Some newspapers have published this information.

" The CERN makes public the study on the economic and social impact of mining in Walikale ," reports the Potentiel who gets this question " Who benefits ores Walikale , in the province of North Kivu ? " The newspaper reported that the study had as objective to evaluate the contribution of mining to economic and social development of the area during the period 2008-2012 . According to the secretary of the CERN Muhiya Henri , who presented the study, the paper notes , for nearly 5 years in the Walikale territory, inhabited by more than nine hundred thousand inhabitants, more than 22 870 tonnes of cassiterite were produced and sold at an average price $ 4 / kg to about 77 million U.S. dollars, the amount handled by miners , traders and countertops.

" Scandal mining in Walikale : Everything for politico-military authorities," announces the Phare writes: " The fact is that the living conditions of artisanal miners valued at more than 12,000 remained precarious They wonder how . these minerals can enjoy the craft when they complain about working for political and military authorities who had devoted a particular day production. Monday ... that's the commander X. .. Y. Tuesday . . Wednesday for the leader of the armed group Z. .. Thursday the Minister for M. .. Friday for the landowner ... Saturday for police commander ... and Sunday as multinational.

For its part, Forum des As says " CENCO and CERN decipher the impact of mining on the economy and social Walikale ." In this report of 175 pages , the daily writing experts CENCO and CERN deplore the poor exploitation of mineral resources in Walikale . They clearly indicate that the population of Walikale is the biggest victim and the biggest loser from its ores . It is through ignorance of their rights it subject to the law of the strongest and most cunning in its territory , says the survey.

On another issue , the biweekly Congo Nouveau publishes a reflection entitled " Die artisanal gold in Orientale Province , how to end tax disorders ? " According to the newspaper , artisanal exploitation of natural resources is an activity that employs hundreds of thousands of Congolese - rd . A lawyer at the Court , Mr. Constant Mutamba , looked at the question that is familiar to the Eastern Province where the gold industry in Djugu and Irumu is highly developed . In both territories swarm diggers . The artisanal gold provides important income for many families in this country . But this activity, potentially very lucrative , suffers adequate administrative and legal framework , which discourages private craft and the State and the Province of substantial revenue . In the scientific paper that publishes the biweekly , the author discovered the problems with this type of operation in this part of the republic. These problems are particularly and primarily of a fiscal nature . The author advocates a better tax environment .

" Last chance to correct the deficiencies of the draft Congolese law on hydrocarbons ," writes l'Avenir. According to the daily , the lower house of the DRC, the National Assembly has begun debating the draft hydrocarbon law that has drawn criticism from the campaign managers , members of Congolese and donor governments. Global Witness is thus extremely concerned that this law has deficiencies that would prevent or widespread looting of state assets or oil drilling sites in World Heritage . Speaking of work on the draft law on hydrocarbons , the newspaper reports that the office on Monday suspended the examination from Article 6 continued its work Tuesday afternoon . The Assembly continued its consideration and vote article by article of the bill from Article 7 , bringing any amendments .

Editing of Kinshasa of Dépêches of Brazzaville announces solar plant for South Kivu. According to the newspaper , the provincial government is looking for a site fifty acres to build the book after signing a contract with a Chinese company. The cost of the work amounted to $ 160 million and construction of this solar plant will extend over a period of twelve months , we learn .

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO ) held Tuesday in Kinshasa, a restitution workshop and validation study on the risks of deforestation and forest degradation in the DRC , led by the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) in Belgium and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo , through the joint Research Centre (JRC) , informs the Congolese news Agency (ACP). The main objective of this workshop was to bring together stakeholders , national and international , in a transparent , participatory and representative approach to understanding the evolution of forest cover in the DRC, on the basis identified causes and plausible scenarios to be constructed in consultation .

Erosion heads threaten to engulf the last few days thirty plots in neighborhoods Masikita and Kikwit to Kenge , chief town of the district of Kwango ( Bandundu ) , says Radio Okapi which indicating that the president of the civil society Kenge Richard Kasongo , sounded the alarm Monday, 13 January . He said that the unfinished work of the Roads Office ( OR) are the basis of the rapid advance of these erosions heads.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, January 10, 2014

2014-01-10T03:02:00.002-08:00

Contrary to what the program " Echoes of economy " Radio Okapi stated on the lump sum declared in Itie by mining companies , which amounted to 48 million U.S. dollars , the National Coordinator has Itie clarified in this regard. Hundred mining companies twenty-eight DRC delivered to the Initiative Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI ) data revenues from the extractive sector in 2011. These companies have told the Congolese state 948 million U.S. dollars of revenue generated during fiscal 2011, against 773 million U.S. dollars in revenue reported in 2010 , informs the Potentiel . Dumba Mack says it is now up to the Board of Itie analyze the report published on December 31 and decide on the suspension of the DRC, the newspaper says.

" Itie : mining companies reported revenues of USD 948 million in 2011 " titles Congo Nouveau. The tri-weekly general information reports that the Coordinator -RDC Itie recalls that the DRC had been suspended in April 2012 for 12 months of this organization. The 2010 report was not considered valid.

Reporting the same information, Radio Okapi talks the coordinator Itie -RDC , Mack Dumba , who said : "The Itie completed within the time that it had been asked ." Hundred mining twenty-eight companies have delivered data on their incomes in this sector in 2013 , for a total of 948 million U.S. dollars. Mr Dumba , this result could allow the suspension of the DRC to the International EITI is lifted and the country is declared to comply.
On another issue, the Congolese News Agency ( Acp ) quotes the provincial secretary of the Association of loggers Lower Congo said the reforestation of the province must be the case across the world and the Congolese government , through its specialized services , including forest operators exploiting timber in Bas-Congo and rural populations. According to him, the State must use its organizing power to impose draconian legislation that would encourage and promote the culture of reforestation in the area of population in relation to climate change threats. It has proposed that the recovery service afforestation by the State and all-out awareness on climate change issues .

Still on the protection of the environment , the president of the committee for the protection of the breeding fish in Lake Edward to request Kiserera naval force to better protect the area against illegal fishing , reports Radio Okapi. The latter in the past week to take local patrol responsible for safeguarding the biodiversity of the lake. The committee responsible for the protection of fish breeding area includes officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock as well as members of the fishermen. For its part, the local commander of the Naval Force says willing to strengthen the safety of fishermen on Lake Edward but he admits limited resources.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, January 8, 2014

2014-01-08T02:24:00.001-08:00

Katanga has produced 980,000 tonnes of copper cathode (copper industrially refined crude ) in 2013 , against 18,000 in 2007, Radio Okapi announces that emphasizes the provincial governor , Moses Katumbi announced Saturday, Jan. 4 press when visiting the work of the Lualaba bridge, 20 km from Kolwezi. Moses Katumbi believes that this increase is due to the measure banning Since 2007, the export of this mineral in the raw state . The governor of Katanga added that various mining companies in the province produced more copper cathode as General quarries and mines ( Gécamines ) .
In his program " Echoes of economy," Radio Okapi reports that the Initiative Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI ) / DRC has received reports on revenues of almost all mining companies . The reported total sum amounted to $ 48 million . DRC therefore hopes to lift its suspension of the EITI.
Picking up a magazine article " The Africas" , the Manchette speaks of " sulfur litigation Congo- Angola on the Atlantic" and writes: " On 11 May 2009 , the DRC filed a motion on the delimitation of maritime borders to the United Nations , by informing the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf that the continental shelf of the Congolese coast is subject to a de facto occupation of Angola . " The newspaper wanted to understand the below to a different geostrategic ramifications that threaten the interests of several major oil companies and bankers.
The Mining Company Kilo- Moto ( Sokimo Sarl ) has received the support of parliamentarians Ituri and Watsa for recovery activities , "announces Nouveau Congo indicating that Sunday, January 5, 2014 in Kinshasa , management General for Sokimo , led by its managing director, Michel Mabaka Mbumba had answered the call of national deputies and senators of Ituri and Watsa to discuss the future of their beloved company " Sokimo " .

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, January 7, 2014

2014-01-07T04:28:00.001-08:00

Gold Society Kivu - Maniema ( Sakima ) revived the activities of mining in Kalima , city located 101 km from the town of Kindu ( Maniema ) after 17 years of inactivity. On the ground, about 22 tons of cassiterite enfûtées are ready for export, listing Radio Okapi.

The open pit Namoya , the second gold mine company Banro Corporation located on the gold belt Twangiza - Namoya , produced its first gold at December 30, 2013 , informs the Agency Ecofin which tells that on December 31 , the Canadian company reported production of 320 ounces, while the construction of the plant at the mine will accelerate to its start in the first quarter of 2014 and commercial production before the end of the second quarter. According to John Clarke , President and CEO , this is a milestone for the company and a major success for DR Congo who presents himself as a country where we can find , fund and build successful new mines gold. Namoya is in DR Congo , the second mine the company to go into production and will allow Banro Corp from an annual production of 100,000 to over 225,000 ounces of gold.

The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC ) are charged to the poaching of elephants, in complicity with traditional leaders in Malemba Nkulu , over 700 km from Lubumbashi in Katanga, Radio Okapi says . The provincial director of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN ) in Katanga, Mbayo Lukasa , denounced , Saturday, Jan. 4 . Mbayo Lukasa opposes the idea to kill these pachyderms to recover ivory in favor of Treasury and wishes rather than Malembankulu administrator , supervisor ICCN and the NRA to go on site a report.
" Capital flight , the DRC among the ten most affected African countries," reports the edition of Kinshasa of Dépêches de Brazzaville notes : " The country is ranked at the 10th position among the fifty most affected by the phenomenon , and the 52nd World position with average annual leakage estimated at 1.5 billion U.S. dollars , according to the report of the American NGO global Financial Integrity released in December 2013.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, December 27, 2013

2013-12-27T01:30:00.003-08:00

The Kivu Gold Corporation ( Sakima ) produced Tuesday, December 24, 17 tons of cassiterite after 17 years of interruption of its business, reports Radio Okapi. The cassiterite is treated sewage plant Kalima , registered office of the company , 101 Km from Kindu in Maniema and for export . Its production was made possible by a commercial contract between the companies and Sakima Valko Mining Investment. Cassiterite is contained in sealed drums . According to the center of expertise and certification , its content is 68%. According to the head of transit Sakima Kindu , Jean Kisimbika , activities Sakima could be revived through technical and financial assistance included in the sales contract signed last December between Sakima Valko and mining investment . This assistance has been effective since July.
Work walkthrough EITI report for 2011 , mining in the DRC took place Tuesday, December 23 at the Grand Karavia Hotel in Lubumbashi, chaired by the provincial Minister of Mines of Katanga, Audax Smpwe , reports the Congolese Agency Press (ACP). According to the DRC EITI 2011 report , mining, on the list of 83 companies , an amount of $ 907,688,001 was reported by mining companies while the state , meanwhile , said the amount of 1.135 . $ 103065 . This work brought together the heads of financial departments : IMB DGRAD , the LDB , the DRKAT , delegates from the Ministry of Mines , officials of mining, oil , forestry and civil society. According to the National Coordinator of the EITI, Mack Dumba Jeremiah the purpose of this workshop is to strengthen governance by improving transparency and accountability in the extractives sector.
" South Sudan and CAR: Oil at the center of conflicts," titles the Potentiel newspaper on its headline and writes: " Again, the region of Central Africa is the scene of deadly conflict South Sudan and the Republic . Central burn , making you forget for a while the drama that constantly gnaws the eastern part of the DRC Curiously, these two countries have a special feature . petroleum buried in their basement It is about the control of this natural resource . play the real issue. Central Africa is already fragile, we must fear a domino effect in other countries in the region. resurgent Ugandan rebels of the ADF - Nalu DRC auspicious omen . "