Challenges faced by workers in the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is blessed with immense mineral wealth, boasting some of the world’s largest deposits of cobalt, copper, diamonds, tantalum, tin, and gold, just to mention the few. However, the lives of the workers who extract these valuable resources are often fraught with challenges. Despite the sector’s significant contribution to the national economy, miners face a multitude of hardships that threaten their well-being, safety, and dignity. This article explores into the primary issues affecting mining workers in the DRC, drawing from workers perspectives and lived experiences. Miners in the DRC often work in hazardous environments with minimal safety measures. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), which involves manual labour and rudimentary tools, is particularly dangerous. Workers face the constant risk of mine collapses, landslides, and exposure to harmful chemicals. The lack of protective equipment and training exacerbates these risks, leading to frequent injuries and fatalities. “Every day, we descend into the mines not knowing if we will come out alive. The earth is unstable, and one wrong move can trigger a collapse,” says an artisanal miner from Katanga.

Mining operations expose workers to a variety of health risks. Prolonged exposure to dust and toxic substances like mercury and can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and other serious health conditions. Inadequate access to medical care further compounds these issues, leaving many miners to suffer untreated ailments. “We breathe in dust all day, and there is no clean water to wash off the chemicals. Many of us develop coughs that never go away,” explains a mother and miner in the Kivu region. Despite the high value of the minerals they extract, many miners receive meager wages that barely cover basic living expenses. Middlemen and large corporations often exploit artisanal miners, paying them a fraction of the market value for their labour. This exploitation perpetuates a cycle of poverty, making it difficult for workers to improve their living conditions. “We work from sunrise to sunset, but the money we earn is not enough to feed our families. The big companies take everything, leaving us with crumbs,” laments a miner from Lualaba.

The prevalence of child labour in the mining sector is a grave concern. Driven by poverty, many families have no choice but to involve their children in mining activities. These young workers endure the same hazardous conditions as adults, sacrificing their education and health for minimal financial gain. “My son works with me in the mines because we need every bit of money we can get. It is not what I want for him, but we have no other choice,” reveals a miner and mother of three. Women in the mining sector face additional challenges, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and unequal pay. While they play crucial roles in various mining activities, their contributions are often undervalued, and they frequently encounter harassment and abuse. “As women, we are given the hardest tasks but paid the least. We also face harassment from male workers and supervisors, making our work even more difficult,” shares one of the woman workers, a miner in the Ituri province.

The informal nature of much of the mining work in the DRC means that many miners lack legal protections and labour rights. Without formal employment contracts, they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, with little recourse for addressing grievances. “We have no contracts, no rights. If we complain, we are easily replaced. There is no one to stand up for us,” states an artisanal miner in Haut-Uélé. Mining activities, especially those conducted without regulatory oversight, cause significant environmental damage. Deforestation, soil erosion, and water contamination are common, impacting not only the miners but also surrounding communities who rely on these natural resources for their livelihoods. “The rivers we used to fish in are now polluted with chemicals from the mines. Our crops fail because the soil is contaminated. The environment is being destroyed, and we suffer the consequences,” explains a farmer and part-time miner in Kasai. The DRC’s mining regions are often plagued by conflict and instability. Armed groups control many mining areas, imposing illegal taxes and exploiting workers. The presence of these groups creates a climate of fear and violence, further endangering miners’ lives. “We work under the constant threat of armed groups. They take a portion of our earnings and force us to work for them. If we refuse, they threaten our lives,” tells a miner in the North Kivu region.

The plight of miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect their rights and improve their working conditions. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from the government, mining companies, international organizations, and civil society. By amplifying the voices of the workers themselves, we can better understand their struggles and work towards creating a more just and equitable mining industry. The wealth beneath the DRC’s soil should translate into prosperity and security for its people, particularly those whose labour brings these riches to the surface. According to Congolese Renaissance Movement (CRM), to address the challenges faced by mining workers in the DRC from a working-class perspective, solutions should focus on collective action, state intervention, and systemic change. This includes strengthening trade unions organizing in the sector for better bargaining power to ensure profits benefit the public, and promoting worker cooperatives for equitable profit distribution. Comprehensive legal reforms are necessary to enforce fair wages and safe working conditions, while the state should provide healthcare and education to miners and their families. Sustainable mining practices must be implemented to protect the environment, and strict laws should eradicate child labour. Building solidarity with international labour movements can amplify the fight for miners’ rights, ensuring the country’s mineral wealth benefits all its citizens.