Ituri: government lifts suspension on gold mining

Congolese Mines Minister Louis Wathum announced on 6 October in Bunia that the suspension on gold mining throughout the province of Ituri had been lifted, one month after the ban was imposed to clean up the sector. He gave assurances that enhanced governance measures are now in place to identify operators, combat fraud and ensure that the benefits of mining accrue to both the state and local communities.

The minister also promised to deploy the FARDC to regain control of sites still occupied by armed groups, while calling on mining operators to comply strictly with the law and work transparently.