The complexiTy of resource governance in a conTexT of sTaTe ... - Ipis

32 International Alert
Kampene is an important gold-mining area in the south of Pangi. Cassiterite, coltan and wolframite
are also exploited, but in smaller quantities. About 1,100 creuseurs are working in the area,
spread over several mining sites, such as Nyangulube, Kamilanga, Baseme and Kalemba. West of
Kampene is Kama, another important gold mining area where 1,500 artisanal miners work, for
example in Kabobola and Wamanga.
In the north of Kasongo territory lies Bikenge, Maniema’s second largest gold-mining area after
Salamabila, with more than 4,000 creuseurs. The area is closely linked to Kama as an export route
due to its proximity. FARDC soldiers, commanded by Captain “John”, are reportedly present in
the mines.
The most important gold-mining area is around Salamabila, in north Kabambare, where Banro
Corporation’s Namoya concession is located. About 8,000 artisanal miners work in the mines,
digging for gold, cassiterite and coltan. Among the mines are Mwendamboko, Filon B and Kakula.
Further south, around Kabambare, there is some small-scale mining activity, for coltan and
especially cassiterite. Four hundred miners work at the cassiterite mines of Malota. Both FARDC
troops and Rahiya Mutomboki rebels have been reported on the area’s mining sites.
2.3 General analysis of the mineral trade
Transport infrastructure
The degeneration of transport infrastructure in Maniema has turned the province into a true
enclave. 87 The wars of 1996 and 1998 destroyed most of the remaining road network, impeding
development and the free flow of agricultural and mineral products. 88
Historically, the railway was the means by which minerals were exported from the province.
Sominki transported ore by road from Kalima to Kindu, where it was loaded on the train to
Kalemie, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. In 1998, however, the Société Nationale des Chemins
de Fer du Congo (SNCC) ceased activities because of the war, and only one train arrives in Kindu
every few months. 89
Maniema’s roads are mostly impassable. Of the province’s 8,700 km network, 5,300 km are mere
pathways and only 177 km paved, but in very bad condition. 90 Consequently, most territories
are isolated from each other and for this reason most of the mineral production exits not from
Maniema’s main town, Kindu, but from airstrips across the province to the DRC’s eastern border
towns. Kindu’s role in the mineral trade has become very limited, and the province as a whole
profits little from its mineral wealth.
Comptoirs and négociants
Only a small number of comptoirs have a presence in Maniema. Goma-based comptoirs JMT/
TTT (JMT has changed its name to TTT) 91 and Tengen Metal Congo have offices in Kindu, and
GMC in Punia and Kalima. 92 TTT is also present in Punia and seems to be the province’s most
important comptoir. Tengen Metal indicates it is considering shutting its Kindu office. 93
87 Maniema province is termed an enclave because it is isolated from other provinces and the supply of commodities which have to be flown in.
88 IPIS, unpublished UN Environmental Programme commissioned report 2010.
89 ‘La BAD vole au secours de la SNCC agonisante avec un apport de 14 millions USD pour soutenir les réformes de relance de cette entreprise’,
L’Observateur, 15th May 2009.
90 RDC Ministère du Plan, Monographie de la province du Maniema, March 2004, pp. 51-52.
91 Division des Mines de la province du Nord Kivu, Rapport Annuel 2008.
92 Division des Mines de la province du Maniema, Rapport Annuel 2009.
93 Interview, CEEC officials, Kindu, July 2010.