The new mining Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, who doubles as the country’s first female mining minister, has announced that the country offers a wide array of investment opportunities for investors to explore, thereby forming mutually beneficial partnerships with a government that will ultimately benefit the country’s citizens.
Speaking at the opening keynote of DRC Mining Week Online event which had notable stakeholders such as André Wameso from the Presidency; Lord Dolar Popat, the UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy to the DRC; Louis Watum, president of the DRC Chamber of Mines; and Marie-Gabrielle Kalenga Opese, Deputy CEO of Standard Bank DRC, Kalambayi addressed the keynote topic ‘The DRC’s investment rating: An inaccurate perception’, where she stated that the mining sector is a key driver of economic growth and in turn, of the development of the DRC.
According to her, it was important for mining companies to adhere to the country’s mining legislation and to commit to better practices.
“These legal instruments offer to all mining investors, local and international, many benefits as they encompass attractive measures such as the implementation of processes that are fast, objective and transparent for granting or renewing mining and quarry rights along with the establishment of fiscal, custom and currency exchange regimes that are competitive and specific to the mining sector.
“I urge mining operators that have chosen the DRC for their businesses, to respect the laws in place, in particular with regards to their commitment to the local communities,” she commented.
Lord Popat, welcoming the idea of investing into the mining sector of the DRC, explained that the central African country holds tremendous potential for UK investors, particularly in light of Brexit. He encouraged UK businesses to start or join trade missions and participate in events such as DRC Mining Week to gain useful insights that will help them make informed business decisions.
