In North Kivu province, as others parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, mining activity continues unabated. However, behind the promises of development lies a bitter reality for the indigenous populations: that of imposed exploitation.
In the Bashu chiefdom, copper mining illustrates this persistent gap between the letter of the law and practice on the ground.
In a statement released on Monday 9 February 2026, climate activist and environmentalist Shabani Loswire pointed out that local communities are not mere spectators of the exploitation of their lands. “These local communities have a right, enshrined in Law No. 22/030 of 15 July 2022, which gives them the right to accept or reject any mining or forestry project for specific reasons.
On the ground, however, the reality is quite different. Companies obtain approval from the authorities and, in most cases, do not consult the local communities that will suffer the environmental consequences of any mining operation,” he said.
This right is based on the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). For Shabani, this process is not a mere administrative formality, but a bulwark against abuse, enabling communities to avoid land and social conflicts; take ownership of development projects; and understand and anticipate environmental impacts.
Bashu’s recent history has been marked by the arrival of Graben Mining. The company, which holds an operating license, has set up operations in extremely sensitive areas.
According to local critics, the outcome of this presence reflects a denial of rights: no information was shared about the duration of the project, the nature of the contract or the actual environmental impacts. By acting without applying the CLPE, the company allegedly undermined the dignity of the communities, which are now facing the consequences of this exploitation.
Today, concern is growing with the announcement of an exclusive purchase and sale agreement signed by the American company Copper Intelligence to exploit copper from Butembo, sourced from the Bashu deposits.
“It is unacceptable that, in a region already ravaged by multiple forms of armed violence, resources are being sold off without those most affected having a say. In Bashu, for example, Graben Mining, the company that held the copper mining license at the time, set up operations and mined deposits in extremely sensitive areas without providing any information on the duration of the project, the nature of the contract or its impact. In other words, the company acted without applying the process of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), a right recognized for local communities.
To date, an exclusive purchase and sale agreement has been signed by an American company, Copper Intelligence, to mine copper from Butembo, a deposit located in Bashu, a chiefdom plagued by multiple forms of armed violence.
The pattern seems to be repeating itself: agreements signed at the highest levels, approval from the authorities obtained in complete secrecy, and persistent silence towards local communities.
“The combined company, Copper Intelligence, formerly African Discovery Group, which purchased the license from Graben Mining, has announced that it has become the first independent company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to be listed on the US stock exchange” wrote Fiston Mahamba, a Congolese investigative journalist.
He adds: “According to documents from these organizations, several mining activities are being carried out by teams from the SAEMAPE [Support and Supervision Service for Small-Scale Artisanal Mining Operations] from the town of Butembo, accompanying miners supervised by Caucasians, but without involving the local population”.
Before any operation can begin, it is imperative that Copper Intelligence and the relevant authorities break with past practices. Respect for the rights of the Bashu communities should involve: organizing a transparent meeting with all members of the community; providing comprehensive information on the risks and benefits of the project; and strictly implementing the preconditions set out by the inhabitants.
For Shabani Loswire, mining cannot be carried out at the expense of social peace and the environment. “The CLPE is not an option, it is a legal and moral obligation. It is time for the voice of Bashu to be heard before the first excavators tear up the soil of our ancestors once again.”
Written by Azarias Mokonzi