DR Congo Plans to Deploy Mining Guard Force to Halt Mineral Plunder
The General Inspectorate of Mines announced that the newly formed unit, designated the "mining guard," will be responsible for safeguarding the full mineral exploitation chain — from active mining sites through to the transportation of extracted resources to processing facilities and border crossings.
An initial $100 million investment has been allocated to fund six months of recruit training and the procurement of specialized equipment. The first contingent, comprising between 2,500 and 3,000 agents, is set to be deployed across 22 provinces, with training running from June through December, according to the government statement.
Full coverage of the country's principal mining zones — particularly Greater Katanga and Grande Orientale — is targeted by the end of 2027, with the government projecting a total force exceeding 20,000 mining guards deployed across all mining provinces by 2028.
The urgency behind the initiative is rooted in decades of unchecked exploitation. The DRC holds some of the world's most coveted mineral reserves, yet its eastern regions remain gripped by chronic insecurity and armed conflict. The country is the world's largest producer of coltan, the bulk of which originates from mines around Rubaya — territory seized by M23 rebels in early 2024.
"The objective is to clean up the entire mining sector by eliminating practices contrary to good governance, transparency and traceability," said Inspector General of Mines Rafael Kabengele.
Authorities said the initiative is designed to tighten oversight across the mining supply chain, dismantle illicit trafficking networks, and overhaul governance of a sector considered strategically vital to the national economy.
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