At a critical time for the region's minerals trade companies must undertake supply chain checks and put responsible sourcing into practise

Global Witness' investigation last month in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) revealed high-level military involvement in the region's minerals trade. A briefing published today outlines findings from research carried out in DRC's North and South Kivu provinces, Burundi and Rwanda in March and April 2013.

The key findings are:

For Immediate Release

Bloomberg and Reuters news agencies have reported that the International Monetary Fund has halted its loan programme with the Democratic Republic of Congo because of concerns over transparency in the country's mining sector. While Congo is clearly in desperate need of funds, Global Witness believes that concerns over possible corruption in the country's mining sector were so serious that the IMF was justified in stopping its lending.

A summary by Global Witness, June 2012

Read our briefing document summarising baseline evaluations of artisanal mining communities in eastern DRC.

Seven baseline evaluations of artisanal mining communities in eastern Democratic Republic ofCongo (DRC) reveal that local communities rate insecurity as the main reason for sustained orincreased poverty. The studies found that other interconnected factors, including populationdisplacement and access to land and markets, also contribute to the poverty and hardshipsendured by mining communities in North and South Kivu.

Lire notre FAQ sur la situation actuelle dans l’est

Campaigners today welcomed a landmark agreement on good governance in Afghanistan’s mining sector, but warned that civil society engagement, deal disclosures and inclusion of environmental and social safeguards will be critical to its success.

Tokyo conference a defining opportunity to embed accountability in Afghanistan’s oil and mining sectors

The Government of Afghanistan and the international community must commit to publishing full details about oil, gas and mining deals and consult with local communities, said civil society activists today. The call comes on the eve of a crucial conference being held in Tokyo to discuss aid pledges in post-transition Afghanistan.

La reprise des combats dans l’est du Congo met en lumière le besoin urgent de mettre fin au commerce des minerais de conflit

La reprise des violences dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) montre que les entreprises et les gouvernements doivent de toute urgence remettre de l’ordre dans le commerce des minerais provenant du Congo, a déclaré Global Witness dans un nouveau rapport publié aujourd’hui.

Global Witness welcomes a move by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last week to enforce a national law that requires companies to ensure they are not buying conflict minerals. The government suspended two mineral traders, TTT Mining (exporting as CMM) and Huaying Trading Company, based in eastern DRC’s North Kivu province, for violating the Congolese law.

La Constitution congolaise stipule :

« Tous les Congolais ont le droit de jouir des richesses nationales. L’État a le devoir d’en faciliter la jouissance. »