17 Chinese Nationals, Others Arrested for Illegal Gold Mining in DR Congo

Seventeen Chinese nationals have been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for running an illegal gold mining operation. The arrests occurred in South Kivu province and were announced during a press briefing in Bukavu on Friday.

According to Reuters, the men were detained after a government delegation unexpectedly inspected a mining site in the village of Karhembo. Acting Mines Minister Bernard Muhindo said the suspects failed to produce valid documentation to justify their operations.

We asked them to present us with the company’s documents. There were no documents, zero. No certificate, no status, no national identification, nothing, Muhindo explained.

Authorities discovered around 60 Chinese nationals at the site. However, only 17 were detained as they appeared to be in leadership roles. Several Congolese and Burundian nationals allegedly involved in the operations were also arrested.

This action is part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining in South Kivu. In July, the province’s governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, suspended mining operations to restore order to the region’s unregulated mining sector. Although mining resumed later, authorities continued investigating ongoing illegal activities.

Illegal gold mining by Chinese companies is a growing issue in eastern Congo, particularly in South Kivu. Many firms operate without proper permits, often partnering with local cooperatives to bypass laws prohibiting foreign involvement in artisanal mining. This arrangement helps them evade taxes and regulatory oversight.

These unregulated operations also cause severe environmental damage. The use of toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury pollutes water sources. Heavy machinery these companies employ displaces local artisanal miners, who rely on manual methods to earn a living.

Local communities have expressed frustration over the economic hardships caused by these activities. Activists and community leaders have also accused some officials of benefiting from illegal mining, making enforcing regulations harder.

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