17 Chinese nationals accused of running illegal gold mine in Congo

Seventeen Chinese men have been arrested on suspicion of running an illegal gold mine in Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities as the government pressed on with a crackdown on unlicensed extraction of its minerals.

The men were arrested after a government delegation made an unannounced visit to the mine site in the village of Karhembo on December 19. Around 60 Chinese nationals were at the site and officials detained 17 who appeared to be in charge, along with some people from Congo and neighbouring Burundi.

Miners pan for gold near the town of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.  Miners pan for gold near the town of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. File photo: AFP

The Chinese embassy in Kinshasa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Burundi’s embassy said it was still waiting for details from its representative in Bukavu.

The central African country says it has been struggling to stop unlicensed companies and armed groups from exploiting its rich reserves of cobalt, copper, gold and other minerals. Competition over mining operations has fuelled fighting in the region that borders Rwanda.