DR Congo Flags 296 Mining and Quarry Permits Over Failure to Start Operations

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Mining Cadastre (CAMI) has identified 296 mining and quarry titles whose holders failed to provide evidence that they had started operations within the deadlines set by mining regulations.

The affected companies risk losing their rights if they cannot justify their failure to meet the requirements. However, they have 45 days to present their defence before the authorities make a decision on possible revocation.

CAMI Director General Popol Mabolia Yenga signed the notice on 29 October 2026, referring the affected titles to the Directorate of Mines under Articles 387 and 391 of the country's Mining Regulations.

CAMI Identifies 296 Mining and Quarry Titles

The list covers 230 exploration permits, 39 mining exploitation permits, 16 permanent quarry exploitation authorisations, seven small-scale mining permits and four tailings exploitation permits.

TSM Entreprise SARL has the largest number of affected titles, with 19 permits comprising 18 exploration permits and one exploitation permit in Mutshatsha territory, Lualaba province.

Prometal SARL follows with 12 titles, including 11 exploration permits and one small-scale mining permit in Haut-Lomami province.

Mining Companies Face Strict Commencement Requirements

Articles 386 to 391 of the Mining Regulations establish the activities and documentation that licence holders must provide to demonstrate that they have started work.

Exploration permit holders have one year from the issuance of their exploration certificate to meet the requirements. They must deploy at least two geologists to the licensed area for 10 days, conduct exploration activities and submit a report to the Directorate of Geology.

They must also obtain approval for their mitigation and rehabilitation plan and provide a financial guarantee covering their environmental obligations.

Mining exploitation permits and permanent quarry authorisations carry commencement deadlines of one or three years, depending on the permit category. Holders must submit environmental and social management plans, notify local authorities of planned measures, provide rehabilitation guarantees and begin the required development and construction work.

Ministerial Order Defines Qualifying Development Activities

A ministerial order signed by Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba on 8 September 2025 further clarified which activities qualify as development and construction under Article 390 of the Mining Regulations.

These include developing access to mineral deposits, carrying out preparatory operations, extracting and transporting minerals, establishing storage facilities and installing processing equipment.

The recognised activities also cover surface infrastructure such as buildings, roads, electricity networks and water supply systems. For underground mines, they include shaft sinking, installing mining equipment, developing ventilation and dewatering systems, and constructing crushing and loading stations.

Boundary demarcation, site security and access road construction also qualify.

Permit Holders Have 45 Days to Defend Their Rights

Failure to demonstrate that operations have commenced within the prescribed deadlines can lead to proceedings to revoke mining or quarry rights.

Under Article 288 of the Mining Code and Article 561 of the Mining Regulations, authorities must formally establish the violation and notify the affected licence holders.

Companies then have 45 days from the public posting of the notice of violation to submit their defence. The Minister of Mines has the authority to decide whether the permits should be revoked.

Companies affected by a revocation decision have a further 30 days from its public posting to lodge an administrative appeal with the minister.

If the cancellation becomes final, former permit holders face an additional restriction: they cannot obtain new mining rights or permanent quarry authorisations for five years from the date the cancellation is registered in the Mining Cadastre's register.