The Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in China, François Balumuene Nkuna, recently spoke at the China Mining Conference forum, organized by the Chinese Mining Association in Tianjin, from October 15 to 18, 2024. In his speech on October 16, he addressed the crucial theme of "Strategic Minerals: the role of the DRC in the ecosystem and value chain of metals at the regional and global level." His speech highlighted not only the mineral wealth of the DRC but also the evolution of its role on the international stage.
An Unmatched Mining Potential
The DRC is recognized as the world's leading producer of cobalt and Africa's leading producer of copper. Balumuene emphasized that the country has exceptional mining potential that goes far beyond raw extraction. He encouraged Chinese investors to consider projects that not only involve resource extraction but also include on-site production and processing. "If possible, go all the way to the finished product. We are no longer just a land of extraction," he stated, stressing the need for a more integrated and sustainable approach.
A Successful Collaboration with China
The relationship between the DRC and China is particularly significant in the mining sector. More than half of Congolese mining production is controlled by Chinese companies, making the Middle Kingdom the DRC's largest trading partner globally. In 2023, the trade volume between the two nations reached 18.7 billion dollars, with forecasts indicating continued growth for 2024. Balumuene noted that this trade dynamic offers enormous opportunities for economic players wishing to establish themselves in the Congolese market. He stated that "the opportunity is great for any economic player who wants to enter the Congolese market," due to the growing demand for strategic minerals linked to the requirements of the global ecological transition.
Towards a Sustainable Economic Transformation
The Ambassador also mentioned the efforts made by the Congolese government to improve investment conditions and promote responsible exploitation of natural resources. These reforms aim to ensure that the benefits derived from mineral resources benefit local communities while respecting environmental standards.
A Call to Action for Investors
François Balumuene made a clear call to the investors present at the forum: it is time to go beyond simple extraction and invest in projects that promote local mineral processing. This approach will not only increase the added value for the Congolese economy but will also help create jobs and strengthen local infrastructure.