The Democratic Republic of the Congo made its presence felt at the 28th edition of the China Mining Conference and Exhibition, held from September 10 to 12 in Tianjin. Led by the Minister of Mines, Louis WATUM KABAMBA, and accompanied notably by the DRC Ambassador to China, François Balumuene, the Congolese delegation highlighted the country's mining potential, investment opportunities, and prospects for cooperation with Chinese and international sector players.

A high-level Congolese delegation

At the opening of the proceedings, the Minister of Mines participated in discussions alongside representatives from governments, mining and industrial groups, financial institutions, researchers, experts, and investors from various backgrounds.

The presence of François Balumuene, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the People's Republic of China, alongside the Minister of Mines also marked the Congolese participation in this important international meeting.

Under the theme "Win-win, green and smart cooperation," this 28th edition served as an important platform to showcase the mining assets of the DRC and foster new cooperation opportunities with international partners.

The DRC-China Forum dedicated to mining opportunities

As part of its participation, the DRC also organized the DRC–China Forum, dedicated to cooperation and investment opportunities in the mining sector.

Several entities under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines, including CAMI, CEEC, SGNC, SAEMAPE, IGM, CTCPM, GÉCAMINES, and FOMIN, presented their missions, areas of intervention, as well as the various opportunities offered to partners and investors.

The discussions focused particularly on the geological potential of the DRC, investment opportunities, local mineral processing, and the development of industrial value chains.

Value creation at the heart of the Congolese message

Speaking at this Forum, the Minister of Mines emphasized the need for the DRC to no longer measure its success solely by the tonnage of minerals extracted, but also by the added value created locally, skilled jobs, technology transfer, and the development of Congolese businesses.

He also highlighted the complementarity between the abundance and diversity of mineral resources in the DRC and Chinese expertise in industrialization, mineral processing, infrastructure, technology, and logistics.

A Congolese stand that sparked interest

The Congolese participation was also marked by an exhibition stand, inaugurated by the Minister of Mines, which attracted the interest of investors, industrialists, and other partners present at the conference.

The discussions at the booth focused particularly on the geological potential of the DRC, investment opportunities, local mineral processing, and the development of industrial value chains.

The DRC reaffirms its ambition for industrialization

At the conclusion of its participation in the China Mining Conference and Exhibition, the DRC reaffirmed its ambition to make its natural resources a true lever for industrialization, job creation, skills development, and improving the living conditions of the population.

In Tianjin, the country advocated for an approach that goes beyond merely exporting minerals, emphasizing their processing, value addition, technology transfer, and the development of a genuine Congolese mining industry.

This participation was part of the vision of the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, aiming to make the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo a driver of the country's economic and industrial development.