THE EAST AFRICA

CHINESE GOLD MINING DESTROYS FOREST AND LIVES IN A DR CONGO WILDLIFE RESERVE

CHINESE GOLD MINING DESTROYS FOREST AND LIVES IN A DR CONGO WILDLIFE RESERVE
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Faith Nyasuguta 

Along the banks of the Ituri River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a bustling mining site paints a grim picture. Piles of debris, cranes shifting soil, and a few scattered patches of trees serve as the last vestiges of what was once a lush, thriving forest. 

In this troubled land, the Chinese-run Kimia Mining Investment has established a controversial operation at the heart of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, an endangered World Heritage site.

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve, spanning over 13,000 square kilometers (5,000 square miles), has been a protected area since 1996. Named after the okapi, a rare forest giraffe, it harbors 15% of the world’s remaining okapi population, along with diverse flora and fauna. As part of the Congo Basin rainforest, the reserve plays a critical role in regulating global carbon levels and combating climate change.

/Courtesy/

Despite its significance, the reserve faces grave threats from mining, poaching, and deforestation. These challenges have intensified with Kimia Mining’s presence. Originally outside the reserve’s boundaries, the company now operates within, thanks to altered maps and questionable permits. Residents and environmentalists argue that this intrusion is illegal and has wreaked havoc on the land, wildlife, and local communities.

Joe Eisen, executive director of Rainforest Foundation UK, expressed alarm: “It is shocking that semi-industrial mining is allowed in a protected World Heritage site already on the danger list.”

Under Congo’s mining code, activities in protected areas, including the Okapi Reserve, are strictly prohibited. However, Kimia Mining claims to operate legally under renewed permits valid until 2048. The permits were granted based on maps that reduced the reserve’s boundaries, creating space for mining.

The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and Congo’s mining registry recently acknowledged discrepancies in the reserve’s boundaries. In an internal memo, the government stated that all companies operating within the reserve, including Kimia Mining, would be shut down. Yet, details on the timeline and enforcement remain unclear.

Civil society groups in Congo have accused government officials of intentionally redrawing maps for personal gain. “We all knew Muchacha mine was within the reserve,” said Alexis Muhima, head of the Congolese Civil Society Observatory for Peace Minerals. “The boundaries changed only after the mine started producing large quantities of gold.”

/NYT/

Satellite images confirm extensive mining development since 2016, with rapid expansion in recent years. Experts like geographer Joel Masselink highlight that the mining agency’s maps have shrunk the reserve by nearly a third, enabling concessions to be granted within protected areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL & HUMAN IMPACT

Kimia Mining’s operations have caused widespread environmental degradation. Residents and former employees describe polluted water sources, infertile soil, and disappearing forests. Some claim mercury, used in gold extraction, has poisoned the land and waterways.

A 27-year-old former cook for Kimia recounted, “The soil here is no longer fertile. Chemicals have poisoned it, and farming yields have plummeted.”

Artisanal miners, once dependent on the reserve’s resources, now face harsh restrictions. Kimia Mining allows locals limited access to sift through leftover materials but charges fees many cannot afford. The community feels betrayed. “The Chinese mine in a protected area while locals are forbidden,” said Jean Kamana, chief of Epulu village.

The loss of income has been devastating. Muvunga Kakule, who once earned a living through mining and farming, said, “I’ve lost 95% of my income. I can’t afford to send my children to school anymore.”

Fishing has also suffered. Assana, a fisherman and occasional mine worker, said it now takes him four days to catch the amount of fish he once caught in a day. “Deforestation has made the heat unbearable,” he lamented.

Wildlife populations are declining due to habitat destruction and increased poaching. Pygmy chief Wendo Olengama explained, “We used to hunt several animals a day during the authorized season. Now, finding even two is difficult.”

/CTV/

CALLS FOR JUSTICE & SUSTAINABILITY

Kimia Mining defends its practices, stating it employs over 2,000 people and pays taxes for reforestation efforts. “Mining is vital for Congo’s economy,” said Issa Aboubacar, the company’s spokesperson. “We can’t prioritize the environment over mining.”

However, conservationists argue that mining in the Okapi Reserve violates Congo’s laws and international agreements. UNESCO has demanded a report by February to clarify the government’s plans to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, local communities demand accountability and support. “If the Chinese company stays, they must provide alternative livelihoods, like cattle raising or training for sustainable hunting,” said Dura Anyainde, a resident of Epulu.

A BLEAK FUTURE

The Okapi /AP/

Between January and May 2024 alone, the Okapi Reserve lost over 480 hectares (1,186 acres) of forest, an area nearly the size of 900 football fields. Conservationists warn that continued mining will have irreversible consequences for the environment and the people who depend on it.

“The community has lost its land, income, and animals,” said Olengama. “If the situation persists, we’ll live in misery.”

For now, the battle for the Okapi Reserve is far from over. As Congo’s government navigates conflicting priorities of environmental preservation and economic development, the fate of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, and the livelihoods of thousands, hangs in the balance.

The Ituri River may glitter with gold, but its people and forests bear the cost of the Chinese gold mining boom.

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Faith Nyasuguta

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