The Chamber of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the DRC government’s recent announcement that, after negotiations with the industry, it has dropped initial plans to amend the country’s mining code. In a statement at the Mining Indaba, being attended by IM, Chamber of Mines spokesman Simon Tuma-Waku said government had recognised that a more onerous code would drive investors away from what was already a stressed market, as had happened elsewhere in Africa.

“The assurance given at the Indaba by Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu that the current code will be retained has brought clarity and stability to the situation. With the uncertainty out of the way, the DRC can now return to being a competitive mining investment destination, to the benefit of the government as well as the industry,” he said.

He also noted that while 2015 had been a tough year for the DRC’s mining industry, it had held up reasonably well in the face of challenging conditions. Copper production was down only 3.3% year on year despite the closure of marginal operations. Zinc also dipped but cobalt and diamond production was slightly higher, and the biggest positive move came from gold, with the 2015 total of 25 tonnes up 30% year on year on back of the Kibali ramp-up.