The General Inspectorate of Mines (IGM) is a specialised public service of the Congolese State, created by Decree No. 23/19 of 9 June 2023. (Consult the decree here) It has administrative and financial autonomy and is placed under the authority of the Minister responsible for Mines, in accordance with Article 1 of the said Decree.

The creation of the IGM is part of the major reforms of the mining sector initiated by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular those arising from the Mining Code (Consult the Mining Code here) (Law No. 007/2002 as amended by Law No. 18/001 of 9 March 2018) and the (Consult the Mining Regulations here) (Decree No. 038/2003 as amended by Mining Regulations Decree No. 18/024 of 8 June 2018).

These reforms highlighted the need for an independent body with strengthened powers, capable of ensuring transparency, compliance, traceability and good governance in a sector that is strategic for the national economy.

The IGM was created to address several major challenges identified by the Government, including:

• The increase in mining fraud and smuggling;
• The need to strengthen the security of mineral substances;
• The requirement for better coordination between public services involved in the mining chain;
• The desire to ensure superior control over mining operations, in accordance with the requirements of the Mining Code.

Over time, the IGM has seen its missions expand, in accordance with Articles 5 and 4 of Decree No. 23/19, to cover:

• Technical and operational control of mining activities;
• The fight against mining fraud and smuggling, including illicit transmission of information and undervaluation of State contributions;
• Securing mineral substances from the exploitation site to the point of export;
• Supervision of social and environmental obligations of mining operators;
• Inter-agency coordination with DGDA, PNC, CENAREF, Interpol, CEEC and other specialised institutions.