Publications
Armed conflict, insecurity, and mining in eastern DRC: reflections on the nexus between natural resources and armed conflict
- Erik Gobbers, Ken Matthysen | December 7, 2022
download the report This report offers a new framework for looking at the eastern Congo conflict, one within which new evolutions of the past twenty years find a place. Indeed, violent conflict in eastern Congo has changed dramatically in all its aspects over the past two decades. Yet too often policymakers and observers appear to assume that we are dealing with a proxy war orchestrated from the D
Analysis of the interactive map of artisanal mining areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo – 2022 update
- Ken Matthysen, Ntakobajira Zacharie Bulakali, Thomas Muller
- Augustin Djamugisa Bedidjo, Bertin Nyamuhirwa Muganuza, Bienfait Mateso Mulindwa, Bienvenue Akasa Okoko, Chance-Clarice Cikanga, Emmanuel Kivuha Kahindo, Erick Mandingaka Itaka-bobo, Freddy Mugombekere Baleke, Gabriel Igilima Lunanga, Josué Mfunyi Kadima, Jérémie Kabunga Katembo, Lavoisier Lukindula Assumani, Mike Mudukwe Mirindi, Moise Katina Mbusa, Philippe Bushiri Bilombele | November 29, 2022
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector plays an important role in the local economy. While large-scale armed conflict over DRC’s mineral wealth has decreased significantly over the past twenty years, armed actors continuously interfere in the mining sector, and conflicts over resources at the local level are still common. Based on new minin
Responsible mining scorecard in eastern DRC
- Ken Matthysen, Lotte Hoex, Thomas Muller | August 31, 2022
Over the years, IPIS has systematically collected mine site and trade hub level data on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in eastern DRC. This data collection has enabled IPIS to generate a sizable database of more than 3,000 ASM sites that draws both on sites visited by IPIS and data from third party sources including the Congolese mining cadastre and the Mini
Maps of artisanal and small-scale mining in eastern DRC
- Thomas Muller | July 4, 2022
IPIS has created large format maps of known past and present ASM sites in eastern DRC. These A0 maps cover the provinces of Haut Uele, Maniema, Ituri and North and South Kivu. Each map details the type of minerals, the qualification status by official authorities, the mining titles and provide with an overview of armed presence in and around the mines as reported during field visits conducted by I
Grassroots research on local diamond mining impact
- Action Mines Guinée, CCRAG, CECIDE, CENADEP, GAERN, GRPIE, MCDF
- Julien Marquet, Mieke Thierens, Thomas Muller | March 1, 2022
During 2021, IPIS supported members of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC) in a series of grassroots studies on the human rights, socio-economic and environmental impact of diamond mining in eight African countries. IPIS provided online trainings on field survey methodology as well as editorial support to ten civil society organisations who carried out independent field res
Unconditional cash transfers in the DRC: A comparative baseline study in an artisanal mining zone in Maniema Province
- Erik Gobbers, Thomas Muller | March 1, 2022
A controlled impact study will be conducted by IPIS to evaluate the net effects of Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCT) on the socio-economic well-being of recipients. A controlled study approach allows potential effects of the intervention to be assessed by monitoring specific indicators in the group of people receiving cash transfers (inhabitants of the UCT village), in comparison with a comparabl
Report of high-level workshop on the fight against fraud and smuggling of rough diamonds in Central Africa
- Didier Verbruggen, Mieke Thierens
- Maurice Miema | February 14, 2022
Regional Cooperation to Enhance the Implementation of the Kimberley Process in Central Africa In December 2021, the Working Group on Artisanal and Alluvial Production (WGAAP) of the Kimberley Process (KP) and the Cameroonian government hosted the second Central African regional cooperation workshop in Yaoundé to build understanding, share experiences and formulate recommendations on the fight agai
Comparative analysis of the fiscal regimes and implications for mineral trade of ASM 3TGs in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the DRC
- Levin Sources | February 14, 2022
This briefing paper looks at the relationship between mineral fiscal regimes and the smuggling of minerals in the Great Lakes Region, both within and between countries. It presents an overview and comparative analysis of the fiscal regimes applicable to the artisanal and small-scale (ASM) production of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TGs) in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC, looking at the p
Voix du Congo: Misisi gold, a polluted supply chain. Causes and consequences.
- APDE, Julien Mapenzi
- Erik Gobbers | January 24, 2022
In this Voix du Congo publication, the Congolese civil society organisation Action for Peace and Development (APDE) analyses mining-related incidents reported via the “Kufatilia” platform between July 2020 and June 2021 in the mining region of Misisi.
Advocating for an improved enabling environment for the production, trade and export of OECD Due Diligence Guidance (DDG)-conformant minerals from eastern DRC
- Levin Sources | November 23, 2021
As part of the Madini project, a review of the current situation, trends and barriers in the production, trade and export of tin, tantalum, tungsten (3T) and gold from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was conducted by Levin Sources, with the aim to recommend concrete actions that can improve OECD-conformant sourcing of these minerals from eastern DRC. The link between the exploitation of
Madini – Conflict analysis and stakeholder mapping in the mining regions of South Kivu and Ituri
- Guillaume de Brier
- Alexandre Jaillon, Thomas Muller | August 20, 2021
To ensure that the implementation of the Madini project fits the local context and positively impacts the local population, IPIS conducted a conflict sensitivity analysis in South Kivu and Ituri. The present study highlights that poor governance, along with chronic poverty, are structural causes of violence in mining regions, whereas the presence o
IPIS Due Diligence series – Comparative analysis between cobalt and 3T sourcing from the DRC
- Guillaume de Brier, Hadassah Arian, Lotte Hoex | July 26, 2021
This report compares the supply chains and traceability of 3T and cobalt ores in order to identify similarities, differences, and lessons learned from the decade of 3T experience in responsible sourcing, for the emerging cobalt initiatives. The experience of regulating responsible sourcing in the 3T sector has taught us the importance of engaging producing countries
IPIS Insights -The artisanal and small scale mining sector in eastern DRC six months after the Covid-19 outbreak
- Guillaume de Brier, Ken Matthysen
- Lotte Hoex | April 19, 2021
In April 2020, when the Coronavirus spread around the world, IPIS started monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the production and trade of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). IPIS published a report in October 2020 that discussed the results of several rounds of consultations with ASM stakeholders at nearly 90 Tin, Tantalum, Tung
Evaluating Due Diligence Programs for Conflict Minerals
The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act requires that US-listed companies sourcing so-called “conflict minerals” from Africa’s Great Lakes region conduct due diligence. Since January 2021, the EU imposes its 3TG importers to conduct due diligence in line with the OECD Guidelines (for a comparison between the two regulations, see IPIS Insight: Regulating Responsible Sourcing of 3TG Minerals). D
Voix du Congo: Analysis of incidents in 3TG supply chains in Walungu and Kabare, South-Kivu, DRC
- Benjamin BISIMWA, CRESA, Innocent IRENGE
- Erik Gobbers | February 2, 2021
Since November 2018, International Peace Information Service (IPIS) has been implementing the “Kufatilia” project which aims at strengthening transparency in the monitoring of incidents related to artisanal mining.
Voix du Congo: Monitoring Incidents in Artisanal Supply Chains in the Rubaya Mining Zone, Masisi Territory, North Kivu
- Pole Institute, Raoul Banywesize Busime
- Erik Gobbers | December 15, 2020
In the “Voix du Congo” series, Pole Institute presents a study on incidents in artisanal supply chains in the Rubaya mining area, Masisi territory in North Kivu province (DRC). This study focuses on incidents reported between September and June 2020 via the “Kufatilia” platform in the Rubaya Mining Zone, Masisi Territory, North Kivu Province.
The mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Delve Country Profile
- Laure Gerig, Lotte Hoex, Nathan Schneck (Pact), Patricia Ndagano (World Bank) | November 5, 2020
In partnership with Delve, IPIS produced a profile of the ASM sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Country Profile compiles information on the mining governance framework, provides data on key ASM minerals and analyses the contribution of artisanal mining to the SDGs.
L’exploitation minière artisanale à Beni-Mbau : Etat des lieux et cartographie des sites miniers
- Henri Kamabu Ngavo, Herman Hamuli Miruho, Janvier Murairi, Ken Matthysen, Mieke Thierens, Saidi Kubuya | October 30, 2020
In the framework of the stabilisation project “Ensemble pour Beni”, IOM, IPIS, ASSODIP and ASADHO carried out a baseline assessment of the artisanal mining sector in the Beni territory. This report provides an overview of the sector and analyses opportunities to promote responsible mineral supply chains.
The impact of Covid-19 on the artisanal mining sector in eastern DRC
- Guillaume de Brier, Ken Matthysen, Lotte Hoex
- Zacharie Bulakali
- Thomas Muller | October 14, 2020
As Covid-19 spreads around the world, artisanal mining communities experience once more how much their livelihoods depend on the global economy. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, IPIS has closely monitored its impact on 3T, gold and diamond mining and trade in the DRC.
Voix du Congo : “Analysis of Incidents in the Artisanal Gold Supply Chain in Misisi”
- APDE, Julien Mapenzi
- Guillaume de Brier | July 28, 2020
See our series: VOIX DU CONGO In the “Voix du Congo” series, the non-profit organisation “Action pour la paix et le development” presents a study on incidents in the artisanal gold supply chain in Misisi. APDE is a socio-legal, apolitical and non-confessional NGO working on mining, human rights which can lead concrete response actions in specific areas such as: conflict prevention and resol