DRC Mining Week is fully aligned with the economic development priorities that the government intends to support as part of strengthening our country's mining potential. This is in accordance with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Mines, Louis Kabamba Watum.
The annual mining exhibition and trade show, which celebrated its 20th edition last year, will return to the Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel in Lubumbashi from June 17-19, 2026.
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Prior to his cabinet appointment, the Honorable Minister Watum was a seasoned mining executive in senior management roles at AngloGold Ashanti, Randgold/Barrick (Kibali), and Ivanhoe Mines (Kamoa Copper). As such, he is also a long-time participant and expert speaker at the event.
Making mining a true driver of prosperity
In a press release, H.E. Watum adds that “DRC Mining Week constitutes a strategic framework of paramount importance for the promotion of the national mining sector and the strengthening of the activity of our country with national and international investors, as well as for collaborative reflection on the structural and regulatory challenges facing the sector.
Shortly after his appointment last year, Minister Watum said his mandate would focus on establishing governance based on transparency and accountability, stating that: “We must move forward together to make mining a true lever of prosperity for our people, rooted in good governance, modernization and the fight against fraud. »
The Strategic Program of the Ministry of Mines aims to move from raw extraction to an industrial model that captures greater downstream value. Its priorities include industrial beneficiation (supporting local processing and battery-grade precursors to increase value capture beyond 15 to 25%). Artisanal and small-scale mining will be formalized by 64 legal zones and digital traceability.
Furthermore, administrative modernization will present quarterly monitoring of technical organizations to improve accountability. Tax monitoring was to be deployed by March 2026 automated weighing and computerized quality control to curb 50% revenue loss. Additionally, strategic diplomacy is about balancing U.S.-China partnerships with ESG safeguards and modernized infrastructure.
Trusted platform
“The approval from the Ministry of Mines underlines the government’s commitment to the sector. Without this support, DRC Mining Week could not have become the trusted platform it is today,” said Samukelo Madlabane, Director of Events – Mining Sector for event organizer VUKA Group.
