Complaint filed with CCCMC against Ruashi Mining in DRC

On 4 November 2022, Mind the Gap consortium partners AFREWATCH (African Resources Watch), ACIDH (Action against Impunity for Human Rights) and PremiCongo (Protection of MIOMBO Ecoregions in CONGO) filed a complaint against Ruashi Mining, a subsidiary of the Chinese multinational Jinchuan, with the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals (CCCMC).

Photo: Fleur Scheele / SOMO

The complaint denounces the company’s violation of CCCMC’s “Guidelines on Social Responsibility of Chinese mining investments abroad” and was filed the complaint on behalf of three communities, Luano, Kalukuluku and Kawama, living next to the company’s operations on the outskirts of Lumabashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) second-largest city.

The communities now seek intervention of the CCCMC because their grievances so far have not been addressed by either the company or Congolese state institutions. The CCCMC guidelines that are violated by Ruashi Mining include not respecting the DRC’s Mining Code, or the minimum standards of the mining industry, and not contributing to the economic and social progress of the affected communities.