The Alliance for Responsible Mining advances the implementation of activities in territory within the framework of the Alliance for the Development of East Congo – Tujenge. A project aiming to increase the resilience of communities in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In September and October 2022, nearly 100 people related with artisanal mining in the province of Ituri participated in skill-development workshops on the mining code in the country, the Datastake Information Management System, and the CRAFT Code. The purpose is to estimate the progressive route towards formalization in a more sensible way, mitigating risks in the sector, strengthening transparency, and fostering better social and environmental mining practices.
In addition, the project aims to strengthen local governance in the province of Ituri, largely affected by the armed conflict, and an inclusive, responsible economic growth.
“The importance of this space resided in the discussions not only from the local authorities, but also from the miners about the challenges of formalization. Both parties are aware of the considerable effort to turn mineral supply chains into legal, profitable, and responsible elements that enable a real community development. However, it is encouraging to see that participants approached concrete topics through practical examples, and proposed recommendations to facilitate adoption and application of the regulations.”
Patient Nakahinga, National Coordinator of ARM in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about the workshop.
“We can propose several solutions and make countless recommendations, but if we do not understand nor set in motion the conditions to make them feasible, we will not have a satisfying result.”
Christophe Hanne Coulibaly, Leader of Sustainable Plans focused on Human Rights at ARM.
Territorial characterization
These workshops took place after ARM team carried out a territorial characterization in August 2022, which gathered information on the general context:
- Socioeconomic features of communities
- Diagnosis and analysis on the particular context of ASM on the territory
- Characterization of the ASM situation concerning respect for Human Rights, safety conditions, and environmental impacts.
“Our people die because of the lack of knowledge about the laws and regulations that rule this country. I thank there are initiatives that allow strengthening its capacity and open discussion spaces to find feasible solutions,”
Jean Baptiste Matadi Muyapandji, Chief of Police of Mambasa territory, who participated in the workshops.
On the other hand, these interested parties were trained on the Datastake platform, an innovative bet that aims to promote transparency in mineral supply chains, visualize positive transformation of the AMS, and connect them with international markets.
As part of the process of strengthening ASM formalization in the country, the team of Alliance for Responsible Mining also made progress on the approach to local authorities (both governmental and traditional), and other allied organizations in the territory to build trust, generate support, and work together in favor of mining communities.
About the project
USAID’s Eastern Congo Development Partnership Program, Tujenge, made possible by the support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year program targeting the city and territory of Beni (North Kivu) and the territory of Mambasa (Ituri) and implemented by Mercy Corps in consortium with International Alert, Wildlife Conservation Society, Alliance for Responsible Mining, International Peace Information Service, HIVE, Chambers’ Federation, APROHDIV, Justice Plus, SOFEPADI, CORACON, and Pole Institute, as well as local partners who will join the consortium.
The program works with a variety of stakeholders, including local authorities, communities, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, government actors, and the private sector, to achieve common goals for sustainable development and lasting peace.
Get to know more about the expected results of the project here.