In Kamilombe, in the Kapata district of Kolwezi, children can still be seen on the mining spoil heaps where artisanal miners work daily in search of copper and cobalt. This situation is viewed with concern by the mayor of the Dilala commune, who condemns not only a violation of children’s rights but also serious risks to their safety.

On the Kamilombe spoil heaps, activity shows no sign of abating. Every day, women, young people and artisanal miners dig through the earth in the hope of finding a few kilograms of ore. But amidst this intense mining activity, one presence stands out: that of children operating in an environment known to be dangerous.

For the local authorities, this situation cannot be trivialized. During a visit to the site, the Mayor of Dilala, Françoise Mangweji Kuwaha, sounded the alarm over the presence of minors in this artisanal mining area.

The local authority has called on the women present at the site, as well as the managers of the CMDS mining cooperative, to fulfil their responsibilities in protecting children and to ensure that their fundamental rights are respected.

Beyond the issue of child labor or the presence of children on the site, the mayor warns of the many dangers to which they are exposed. With open pits, earthworks, machinery and the risk of landslides, the mining spoil heaps constitute a particularly hostile environment for children.

But the concerns do not end there. The authorities are also warning of the consequences of unauthorized digging carried out near the electricity pylons that cross the area. According to Françoise Mangweji Kuwaha, this work weakens the infrastructure and could cause certain structures to collapse.

Such a situation would not only expose artisanal miners to potentially fatal accidents, but could also leave part of the Kapata neighborhood without electricity.

In light of these threats, the mayor of Dilala is calling for more responsible mining practices that comply with safety standards and respect the rights of the most vulnerable communities.

Her intervention also highlights the role expected of the CMDS cooperative in overseeing activities carried out on the site. As the authorities issue repeated warnings, the issue of child protection and compliance with safety measures remains more pressing than ever.

In Kamilombe, artisanal mining continues to provide a livelihood for many families. But for the local authorities, no economic imperative can justify exposing children to dangers that could jeopardize their safety, health and future.

Written by Noé KALEMEKO