La dynamique sociale et économique de l’industrie minière à Kalima, RDC

The research paper examines the transition from industrial to artisanal mining in Kalima, Maniema Province, DRC. It argues that artisanal mining of cassiterite has provided better employment, higher incomes, and more democratic work structures for the local population than the previous industrial regime under Sominki and Sakima. However, this shift has led to a decline in local agriculture and a collapse of social services previously provided by mining companies. The author also analyzes the Congolese fiscal system, noting that high export taxes encourage smuggling into Rwanda, and suggests that the lack of conflict in Maniema contrasts with the resource-fueled wars in the Kivu regions.

• Artisanal mining in Kalima is more lucrative for the working class than industrial mining ever was, with miners benefiting directly from rising global commodity prices.
• The social structure of artisanal mining is less hierarchical and more democratic than the colonial-era industrial model, featuring small associations that often elect their leaders and provide opportunities for women to lead.
• The shift to artisanal mining has negatively impacted local food security, as farmers have abandoned their fields for mining, leading to increased malnutrition and higher food prices.
• Social services in Kalima have reached a critical low because the state has not replaced the healthcare and education services previously provided by industrial mining companies.
• Artisanal mining in Kalima appears to be less environmentally damaging than industrial mining, as tropical vegetation quickly recovers abandoned artisanal sites, whereas industrial mining left permanent scars.
• The DRC's high export taxes on minerals encourage illegal smuggling into Rwanda, where no such export taxes exist for non-traditional exports.
• Unlike the Kivu regions, mining in Maniema Province has not triggered armed conflict or been used by warlords to fund activities, suggesting that resources in the Kivus sustain wars rather than cause them.
• The transport of minerals from Kalima has shifted from rail to air, which is more expensive and environmentally harmful.

APA

Mthembu-Salter, G. (2009). La dynamique sociale et économique de l’industrie minière à Kalima, RDC. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper185French.pdf

Chicago

Mthembu-Salter, Gregory. La dynamique sociale et économique de l’industrie minière à Kalima, RDC. Institute for Security Studies, 2009. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper185French.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mthembu-Salter |first1=Gregory |title=La dynamique sociale et économique de l’industrie minière à Kalima, RDC |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=May 2009 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper185French.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mthembusalter2009dynamique, author = {Mthembu-Salter, Gregory}, title = {{La dynamique sociale et économique de l’industrie minière à Kalima, RDC}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = may, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper185French.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }