Networking for sustainable mining and critical raw materials in Lubumbashi

This year, our Consulate General in Lubumbashi (DR Congo) once again hosted a grand cocktail reception on the eve of the DRC Mining Week. The goal was to foster connections between European companies and diplomats on one side, and key players in the booming Katangese mining sector on the other. It was also an opportunity to showcase our European values, particularly around ESG.

It is a cliché, but it could not be more true: the DR Congo is overflowing with mineral resources. Many will immediately think of the horrific conflict in eastern Congo, where that mineral wealth undoubtedly plays a role.

Energy transition

But Congo is much more than just the eastern Kivu region. The Katanga region – in the southeast, bordering Zambia – is also of major importance. Did you know that this area accounts for 10% of global copper production and 70% of cobalt production? It also provides 25% of the world’s germanium, along with zinc and lithium. Altogether, the provinces of Upper Katanga and Lualaba contribute a staggering 70% of Congo’s entire GDP!

Each of the minerals from Katanga is crucial, including for the transition to carbon-free, renewable energy. Copper, for instance, remains in high demand for electrical wiring, which is why electric cars contain far more copper than petrol cars. Cobalt is used in batteries, and the semiconductor germanium has applications in fibre optics, LED lighting, and solar cells.

200,000 families

Another characteristic feature of Katanga is that mining is mainly in the hands of highly professional companies. These include many Chinese ones, but also, for example, the Canadian company Ivanhoe and Swiss company Glencore. The largest mining companies produce up to 600,000 tonnes per year.

The atmosphere in this economic heart of Congo is therefore very different from that in eastern Congo. It is safe there, and wages are good. An estimated 200,000 families depend on the mining industry for their livelihood. This includes not only the mining companies themselves, but also many suppliers providing meals, workwear, and other services to the thousands of miners, sometimes up to 5,000 at a single site.

Katanga also sees far less ‘artisanal’ mining than eastern Congo — where Congolese individuals try to scrape a living by digging for ore, often in tough conditions.

Mining event

It is precisely because of this thriving mining industry that Lubumbashi, the capital of Upper Katanga province, hosts the annual DRC Mining Week: a large-scale mining event where everyone involved in mining comes together.

And when we say the entire industry, we mean it quite literally: not just mining companies from all over the world, but also the firms that build machinery and supply the oil to keep those machines running, the laboratories that analyse mining samples, the suppliers of meals and workwear, the transport companies…

Belgian presence

The DRC Mining Week is a prime opportunity for our Consulate General in Lubumbashi to take centre stage. Although Belgian and European involvement in Katanga’s mining industry is limited, it is far from insignificant.

Belgians, for instance, do not engage in mining themselves, but they are very active in the region. Just think of Umicore (mineral processing and recycling), Forrest, Sarens (large cranes), Solvay (chemicals for mineral purification), Polytra (logistics), Carmeuse (lime for mineral treatment), and Vecturis (rail transport).

But our country’s interests in Katanga are not solely commercial. It is vital to have a foothold there considering Europe’s ambition for greater autonomy regarding critical raw materials. A special advantage of our Consulate General in Lubumbashi is that it is the only Western diplomatic mission present in this strategic region.

Environment, Social, Governance

Our Consulate General intends to leverage this advantage. That is why, for the past four years, it has hosted a standout event on the eve of the DRC Mining Week. The goal is to bring everyone involved in the mining industry together in a relaxed atmosphere to encourage networking. The focus is on fostering ties between European companies and diplomats on the one hand, and major players on the ground on the other.

The event is a way to show that Europe is very much present in the region’s mining industry—and that we operate by specific standards. For European companies, ESG values are key: Environment (as environmentally friendly as possible), Social (fair working conditions), and Governance (sound management).

600 guests

Some four years ago, our Consulate General started modestly, with a high-level breakfast that brought together ambassadors, the governors of the Upper Katanga and Lualaba provinces, and CEOs of major local firms like Glencore. Gécamines – the Congolese state-owned company responsible for managing and operating underground mines and quarries – was also in attendance.

Today, the event has grown into a major gathering with 600 guests — the maximum capacity of the Consul General’s residence garden — under the banner It’s Mine Time! There is music, dancing, food and drinks, and of course speeches – including one by the Belgian ambassador to Kinshasa – that highlight our values. In addition to ESG, these include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Civil society

Among the attendees were ambassadors posted in Kinshasa (from the EU, the US, Canada, China…), CEOs of various companies (including Chinese), provincial governors, scientists, and civil society representatives.

It is no coincidence that our Consul General also involves civil society, precisely because we are deeply committed to ESG. After all, we must not gloss over the fact that mining can come with numerous issues such as environmental pollution, poor working conditions, and embezzlement. By engaging civil society, we shine an extra spotlight on these issues.

In addition to the large cocktail reception, this year’s programme also included a mine visit and a more intimate breakfast with two NGOs. Last year, there was even a theatre performance that addressed the problems linked to mining.

The place to be

In just a short time, the event has become the place to be. Guests now count on it happening and see it as a prime opportunity to network. Thanks to its excellent atmosphere, it is a highly appreciated curtain-raiser for the DRC Mining Week — a tradition well worth preserving!

For the organisation, our Consulate General can count on the Belgian agency for international cooperation (Enabel) and the European diplomatic delegation in Kinshasa, alongside several sponsors such as Polytra, Sarens, Umicore and the Tanzanian bank CRDB.

Enabel always has a stand at the DRC Mining Week, and this year, for the first time, the EU delegation had one too. A clear sign that Europe’s visibility in the region is on the rise!