Survey records 1,205 children at Shabunda mines
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Le Courrier de Bukavu
A survey of 59 mining sites in Shabunda, South Kivu, DR Congo, recorded 1,205 children among 10,932 miners; armed men were present at more than 80% of the sites visited. Presented on 28 October by the NGO IPS RDC, the findings raise concerns about security and mineral traceability, Le Courrier de Bukavu reports.
A survey conducted since the beginning of 2026 in 59 mining sites in Shabunda territory, South Kivu, has recorded 1,205 children among 10,932 miners. The report presented by the NGO IPS RDC also notes the presence of armed men at more than 80% of the sites visited, according to findings presented by its coordinator, Zacharie Bulakari, at a meeting of the Territorial Committee for Monitoring Mining Activities on Wednesday, 28 October.
The survey also counted 1,932 women among the workers recorded. The presence of armed men and minors puts minerals from Shabunda at risk of being classified as conflict minerals and could lead to the sites concerned being classified as red sites, because of security and traceability risks, according to IPS RDC.
Participants, including local authorities, mining operators, miners and representatives of cooperatives, called for stronger monitoring and the formalisation of the sector. A committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of the recommendations was set up at the end of the meeting, chaired by Shabunda territory administrator Justin Balegamire. The initiative comes after the suspension of the head of SAEMAPE over illegal mines, announced on 27 October, amid increased oversight of mining activities in DR Congo.
