US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1630

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001630 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2014 
TAGS: ECON, EMIN, PGOV, KNNP, CG 
SUBJECT: REMOVAL OF ARTISANAL MINERS AROUND LIKASI - 
INCLUDING SHINKOLOBWE 
 
Classified By: Econoff Peter Newman for reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
1. (U) Summary. The Governor of Katanga is currently on a 
campaign to move all artisanal miners in and around Likasi to 
special artisanal mining designated zones outside of Kolwezi. 
This move includes forcing the 6,000-10,000 miners out of 
Shinkolobwe. Possible rabble-rousing by former Katangan 
politicians could exacerbate an unhappy social climate. End 
Summary. 
 
MOVIN ON OUT, BUT NOT UP 
 
2. (C) The current Governor of Katanga Province, Kisula Ngoy, 
has issued an order for all artisanal miners in and around 
Likasi and Lubumbashi to be moved to special artisanal zones, 
designated by the Minister of Mines, outside of Kolwezi, 
which is the furthest mining town from Lubumbashi. Econoff 
spoke with the leader of the Shinkolobwe artisanal miners 
union who confirmed that the Governor ordered the FARDC 
(army), ANR (intelligence service) and Mining Police to 
remove the miners from Shinkolobwe and all other sites in the 
Likasi/Lubumbashi area. He stated that all the miners - 
approximately 40,000 to 50,000 - are now in Likasi and 
Lubumbashi without money or means of employment. The miners 
also had to abandon the villages they built near the mine 
sites. (Comment. It is uncertain who is currently guarding 
and/or working the mines. End Comment.) 
 
3. (SBU) Miners are extremely discontented about moving to 
the areas outside Kolwezi. They were happy where they were 
because the cobalt concentration is high and access to 
consumer goods is better due to the relatively decent 
condition of the highway from Likasi to Lubumbashi and South 
to the Zambian border. The continuation of the highway from 
Likasi to Kolwezi is in extremely poor condition. Transport 
of goods and people to Kolwezi itself is irregular, much less 
to areas outside of the main city. Additionally, the miners 
could sell heterogenite to a variety of buyers in Likasi and 
Lubumbashi, whereas, in Kolwezi, there are effectively only 
two buyers: Groupe Forrest and a Lebanese heterogenite dealer 
who goes by the name Alex Bazano. 
 
4. (SBU) On Aug 25, a large group of miners (over 1000) 
protested in front of the offices of the Governor of Katanga 
to protest the Mining Ministry requirement of ID cards for 
artisanal miners (at a cost of USD 150) and the expanding 
purchases of Gecamines concessions by George Forrest. The 
protest was peaceful. However, the miners intend to continue 
to protest until the governor gives a response to their 
claims. A financial officer for Groupe Forrest described the 
artisanal situation as disorder; and there is no one at the 
provincial level who wants to find a solution to the problem. 
 
POTENTIAL FOR RABBLE ROUSING BY KATANGAN EXTREMISTS 
 
5. (C) Three months ago USAID-Kinshasa met with a 
Katangan-based NGO which relayed a report stating that an 
organization named Katanga Force Vive (KFV), in 
representation of the Katangan community, was fed up with 
foreign control of the mining sector. In reaction they would 
occupy all foreign-owned mining concessions, or, at least, 
resist any efforts to remove artisanal miners from their 
current locations on parts of foreign-owned concessions. They 
claimed to intend to target specifically those concessions 
held under joint-venture between Gecamines and foreign 
individuals or companies. 
 
6. (C) The NGO transmitted a "map" produced by KFV detailing 
almost all mining concessions as being foreign-owned and 
commented that this map was being used to win artisanal 
miners' support for KFV's political agenda. (Comment. USAID 
officer noted that the map was crudely drawn and did not 
clearly delineate which concessions were solely foreign-owned 
or subject to joint-ventures with Gecamines. Embassy is yet 
to view the map. End Comment.)  USAID mentioned that former 
Governor Kyungu as well as Moise Katumbi Chapwe (Provincial 
Director of the PPRD, director of Association pour la 
Sauvegarde des interets des operateur economique, and brother 
of Katebe Katoto) were listed as active supporters of the 
group. A foreign mining firm manager from Katanga confirmed 
that the miners did threaten to overrun foreign-held 
concessions. However, up to present, there have been no large 
scale occupations or violent conflicts between artisanal 
miners and mining firms. 
 
COMMENT 
 
7. (C) While it was unlikely a few months ago that concession 
occupations would take place, the enforcement of the Ministry 
of Mines decision to move the artisanal miners outside of 
Kolwezi could increase the possibility of local unrest and 
occupations. As noted above, protests have begun, however, it 
is uncertain how inclusive and influential these protests 
are. Katanga has been hit hard during the economic collapse. 
Comparatively, the standard of living in the copperbelt has 
dropped further than in other areas of the DRC due to the 
systematic pillage of Gecamines. The involvement of former 
Governor Kyungu and Moise Katumbi is not confirmed. However, 
Kyungu's involvement can only be detrimental to the already 
frayed social fabric of Katanga. 
8. (C) Unfortunately, the miners' union leader commented to 
Econoff that the provincial authorities are telling miners 
that Shinkolobwe was ordered closed under strong pressure 
from the USG. Econoff commented to the labor leader that the 
GDRC took the decision to create artisanal zones and remove 
miners from their current concessions of its own accord. He 
also reiterated to the labor leader that the USG cannot force 
a sovereign government (GDRC) to do its bidding. It is 
uncertain whether a general anti-American sentiment is 
spreading in the lower-classes of Katanga. End Comment. 
MEECE