DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The tri-weekly Congo Nouveau announces that the DRC is under threat of embargo on its minerals and wrote: "The future of the DRC announced dark after some measures that could hit the country in the aftermath advanced mining patterns,. poor governance in the field of minerals, according to international organizations responsible domain, so, the DRC would on the world market the greatest amount of blood minerals which greatly enhances the whitening arms suppliers and other multinationals poured into the real estate. If this version is checked, the DRC will rush into chaos. "
Radio Okapi reports that several mining sites are illegally occupied by Raya Mutomboki in Walikale territory (North Kivu). In a report recently published in Goma, the NGO Carrefour for justice, development and human rights (DHC), denounces this situation. The manager of the NGO, Fortunat Maronga said Monday, July 29 at Radio Okapi, which Mpango axis has at least five mining sites which are controlled by Raya Mutomboki. Most of these sites are located along the river and Osso produce gold, coltan and cassiterite. (Raïa Mutomboli is an armed group)
Radio Okapi also informs the Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, Bavo Samputu Elima lamented Saturday, July 27 slaughter of elephants in Garamba National Park by poachers. He encouraged the eco guards to stop this practice to attract tourists to this protected area located in the Haut Uele (Eastern Province) near the border with South Sudan.
In the same order, according to the Observateur newspaper, southwest of Kinshasa, farmers and hunters Bas-Congo burning herbs. Together to enrich the soil, others to catch rats. This practice, coupled with logging destroys the ecosystem province and disrupts the climate.The Avenir newspaper notes that the Regideso facilities consist of plant and raw water purification Lukaya in the town of Mont-Ngafula collection were commissioned, Saturday, July 27, 2013. With the new treatment capacity of 36,000 m3 per day, the extension of this facility will allow to serve drinking water, 239,000 people in some areas of the municipalities of Lemba, Mont Ngafula Ngaliema Selembao and in the western part of the City -province of Kinshasa.

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Avenir  newspaper informs that it was held last Monday, July 2013 29 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, the thirty-fifth meeting of the year 2013 followed by the economic and financial situation. According to the press release issued after the meeting, a report of the IMF, following a mission to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), pinned a slowdown in economic growth in this area for the rest of 2013. Growth is projected there between 3 and 3.5% against the 5.2% achieved in 2012.In this context, it emerges concerns about the significant and prolonged decline in oil prices and raw materials as well as the slowdown in the global economy. For this purpose, the above mentioned report made some recommendations concerning primarily political management of natural resources and the continuation of reforms on strengthening and regulation of the banking system.For raw materials, 26 July 2013, copper prices rebounded, and is located at $ 6,927 a tonne, against $ 6,885 a week before. As cobalt, its price fell slightly. Tonne traded with $ 31,752.00 $ 32,259.15 against the previous week. Prices of petroleum products fell in both markets. Prices barrels totaled $ 107.17 (-1.39%) and $ 104.70 (-2.9%), in London and New York. Regarding agricultural products, to 25 July 2013, their prices are falling, and are as follows: corn $ 182.90 (-29.1%), wheat at $ 649.25 (-2 3%) and soybeans to $ 500.00 (-7.4%)The Forum des As newspaper that the definition of the scope of each organization involved in the atomic energy and nuclear material has been the goal of the meeting of Wednesday, July 23 between the Minister and the ESURS responsible structures in charge of atomic energy and precious materials. During this meeting, says it does, the Minister Chelo Lotsima questioned the text to clarify the scope and powers of each of these structures, namely, the General Commission for Energy Atomic (CGEA), the National Committee for the Protection of ionizing reactions (CNPRI) and the Center of Excellence (COE)After four hours of fruitful discussions, the conclusions reached stated in particular that the CGEA is the only attitrée structure to provide technical and scientific control of nuclear materials. The CNPRI, meanwhile, is the regulatory authority, because he is in charge of the regulatory control of raw materials. As the CEO, he is responsible for the fight against illicit trafficking in nuclear, biological and chemical materials. To the Minister of ESURS it would be these three structures in its sector working in a sensitive area that is nuclear work in harmony while respecting each loads of choice.The Avenir newspaper also announces that its 7011th meeting in session, the 15 Member States of the Security Council examined on Thursday 25 July in New York, the security situation in the Great Lakes region with the backdrop of recurrent instability in East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Council meeting was chaired by the Secretary of State, John Kerry, head of American diplomacy. Invited by the Chairman John Kerry to speak before the Security Council, the head of the Congolese diplomacy, Raymond Tshibanda said in substance, "Our meeting today takes part in our shared desire to reaffirm our humanity, of assess overall and uncompromising level of implementation of commitments made to end this drama, under the Framework Agreement important 24 February 2013, and identify the challenges that lie ahead for once lasting peace restored, the region can devote his energy and intelligence to key issues in the fight against poverty and the improvement of living conditions of the people. "The Democratic Republic of Congo is determined to assume its share of responsibility so that peace and harmony back rapidly in the region. The DRC will never abandon anyone every square inch of its territory or any part of its sovereignty over its wealth. But it remains ready, today as yesterday, sealing a pact for peace, stability and development throughout the Great Lakes Region and, in this context to develop regional cooperation. The peoples of the African Great Lakes region have, like those elsewhere in the world, the right to peace and prosperity.Radio Okapi reports that Director General of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), Cosma Wilungula, expressed satisfaction with the improvement of security conditions in the protected reserve of Mount Hoyo in Ituri (Eastern Province). He believes that the improvement of security conditions is the result of operations conducted by the FARDC in the reserve plagued activism armed groups for several years.The same media reports that a mother crocodile was spotted in the night from Sunday to Monday, July 29 with five small beach area of ​​Dav. The people were even able to grab one of her cubs. The presence of these crocodiles concerned residents living on Lake Tanganyika. This has created anxiety among the local population. Over the past four years, the crocodiles Lukuga, an outlet of Lake Tanganyika have a hundred victims, according to the traditional authorities.

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, July 29, 2013

The Potentiel newspaper reports that Dan Gertler, the Israeli businessman installed in the DRC since 1997, has not invested in copper and cobalt from Katanga. It is also present in the East where he began the exploration of gold (Watsa) and oil (Kasenyi Lake Albert) province. The particularity of Dan Gertler is he does not expect to have realized the benefits of its investments in order to initiate social activities with local communities make better use. Wherever he moved, roads, hospitals, schools, universities, airports, bridges, water and electricity are its indelible mark. After Katanga, the newspaper said, his special envoy made the same observation in the Eastern Province

Ecofin Agency informs that the giant Swiss Glencore Xstrata managed to merge its two subsidiaries Mutanda Mining and Kansuki, Democratic Republic of the Congo, taking control the new entity that indirectly holds 54.5%. The giant commodities would seek further. It has totally hold this together and plans to acquire the remaining shares, especially as 14.5% High Grade Minerals currently holds the end of December 2013. Glencore Xstrata postponed, between 2016 and 2018, the acquisition of 31% with Rowny Assets which is still present in the new entity. Until their merger, the subsidiary Mutanda held deposits of copper and cobalt. It produced in 2012 about 87 000 tonnes of copper and 9,000 tonnes of cobalt, while Kansuki is a mining field of copper and cobalt covering approximately 185 km2.

Citing Sector Sustainable Development Director at the World Bank, Jamal Saghir, Forum des As newspaper indicates that the Inga project in its evolution, that is to say the current phase and future, should become a reality because the Democratic Republic of Congo is fortunate to have one of the world's most extraordinary hydraulic sites. It can produce electricity at a very cheap cost for the benefit of the Congolese people and the Sub-region. In an interview with the press Friday, July 26, 2013 at the end of his three-day mission in the DRC, Jamal Saghir said that during his stay in Kinshasa, he had discussions with the Congolese authorities including the Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo. Most of these discussions have focused on the WB projects, especially on the Inga project in its developments.Radio Okapi reports that the communities of Kunda Libanza and Mbanza Ngwambele to compete with knives since the beginning of the week around the exploitation of fish ponds Budjala in the province of Ecuador. Several houses were burned and canoes destroyed during the clashes. A delegation from the local Conciliation Committee for Peace visited Thursday, July 25 in Gemena, capital of South Ubangi, to alert the district authorities and leaders of MONUSCO.According to them, it has long been that the two communities are vying for control of a fishing ground. The situation escalated when youth community Ngwambele assaulted Kunda who refused to pay a tax that were first introduced on a road they maintained.The same source reports that a mail train National Society of Railway Congo (SNCC) crashed in the night from Wednesday to Thursday, July 25 a tanker loaded with sulfuric acid on the road Kamina - Lubumbashi. A portion of this product is discharged into the river Dipeta Fungurume city located 195 km west of Lubumbashi in Katanga. The head of the city asked the locals not to drink water until further notice. As a result, traffic was banned within the scope of the accident. The accident occurred at 23 hours local time, when a train from Lubumbashi Kamina to hit the back of a tanker truck that crossed the crossing. According to witnesses of the event, both the tank trailer truck owned by the company Saya Zambia were partially damaged, leaving leak acid.According to the same sources, no loss of life was recorded. Thursday at 5:00 in the morning, some people rushed to leaks to collect the acid. They believed, witnesses said that it was the lubricant, commonly known as "motor oil." Result: three slightly burned people and Dipeta river polluted by sulfuric acid.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, July 26, 2013

The Potentiel newspaper reports that the Prime Minister, Augustin Matata Ponyo, yesterday granted a hearing Thursday to Jamal Saghir, Director, Department of Sustainable Development for the Africa Region of the World Bank. The Grand Inga project, for which the world mobilizes to implement in the province of Bas-Congo (western DRC), has been the focus of the meeting. According to the newspaper, the subject is identified as a priority for the World Bank to the point that the DRC has delegated one of its experts to meet with the decision-making bodies of the Congolese government. As for the content of discussions with the head of government, the newspaper said Jamal Saghir has sought reassurance: "We discussed with the Prime Minister how this site will be developed. What is the support of the World Bank and other donors? What are those in the private sector? ". He said that the World Bank is seeking the government's "roadmap in which we operate"

The same newspaper informs that the European Union welcomes the work of the members of the ICGLR and the secretariat in the implementation of the "Protocol against the illegal exploitation of natural resources," states under the "Pact on Security, stability and development. " The statement of Jean-Michel Dumond, EU Ambassador to the DRC, at the end of the regional workshop on the launch of the certificate ICGLR-DRC. The paper recalls that the DRC officially launched its certificate ICGLR-DRC at the end of a regional workshop, Thursday, July 24, at the Grand Hotel Kinshasa. Congratulating the ICGLR member states, the EU ambassador noted that adopting and ratifying the Protocol, countries have recognized the existence of links between the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region and armed conflict who remain.

For its part, Radio Okapi reported that more than 700 hectares of forest were cleared between 2010 and 2012 in the territory of Luilu Kasai Oriental. The manager of the environment and nature conservation planning Luilu Jean Kabwe stated Wednesday, July 24 during a press briefing. He believes that deforestation has led to a climate perturbation in the territory, resulting in the decline in agricultural production. A Luilu, deforestation is particularly caused by wild tree cutting. Its consequences are felt on agricultural production of farmers, said the head of the department of environment and conservation planning Luilu.The rains have become irregular in these areas, so much so that farmers no longer have mastered the agricultural calendar. Between the first rain of the season and second, it takes three to four weeks, instead of ten days at the most as usual.

DRC natural resources press review of Thursday, July 25, 2013

Forum des AS newspaper reports that the Congolese Ministry of Water Resources and Electric and donors (World Bank, ADB, DBSA and IDC) reflect, in a three-day workshop opened yesterday in Kinshasa Wednesday, July 24, on issues related to the feasibility of Inga III project. This will involve the establishment of appropriate selection process developer, the detailed project and institutional organization of the project or the specific laws timetable.According to the newspaper, these seats are on the Paris workshops in which stakeholders were informed of the conclusion of the project's feasibility. The names of donors, Jamal Saghir, Director of Operations of the World Bank for Africa, reaffirmed the support of donors to the project in its current phase of completion of studies preparations and in its subsequent construction phase Structure. It has also stressed the need of taking into account all the risks that may be induced by the project (technical, financial or skidding time) and the establishment by the Government of the DRC to a detailed timetable and be respected in its development.On the same issue, the Phare newspaper believes that the DRC and donors are in the final adjustments. The newspaper said that besides the Kinshasa meeting, the donors expect the Congolese government lifted in the best period of clear options for the financing of the project because of the enormity of the cost, namely 15 billion U.S. dollars, to protect the interests of the Congo and the Congolese people whose electricity needs should be met as a priority and, finally, transparency in the selection process of the project developer.On another note, Radio Okapi reports that the African Society of wood (SAFBOIS) dropped there over a year, more than 400 timber logs in the forest land Isangi and on the bank of the river Lomani, Eastern Province. This act of cutting such a quantity of valuable timber and leave, according to civil society Isangi connotes a spirit of sabotage against the Congolese government had granted to the African society of wood a forest concession to exploit. Perez Bolengelaka, advisor in charge of communication of civil society Isangi, accused and said Tuesday, July 23, that this act is undoubtedly contrary to the process of fighting against climate change and is a shortfall for the local community, which is exposed to the risks of climate change."They have abandoned valuable timber such as Afromosia. As we face the climate situation. To this end, we call on the Congolese authorities to ensure these abandoned wooden taking disciplinary steps against this company, "suggested Mr. Perez Bolengelaka.Still on the issue of forest, the newspaper Référence Plus announces that the Japanese through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has made available by the Congolese Ministry of Environment of remote sensing equipment to analyze satellite images for a better understanding of the state of the Congolese forests. And these images are analyzed, with the support of the Japanese expertise in the laboratory DIAF. It was Tuesday, July 23, 2013 during the hearing that the Minister of the Environment has granted a delegation of JICA.The Observateur newspaper reported that in Kibale Gold fever is waiting for its first gold pour. The newspaper wrote that during a tour to the Virunga Room II of the hotel Memling Tuesday, July 23, 2013 release, the President and the staff of the major mining project located in Eastern Province indicated that Kibali Gold expects its first casting gold by the fourth quarter. President Kibali Gold, Mark Bristow, reported that more than a million tons of ore from the open pit had been stored to power the circuit oxide metallurgical plant to be commissioned in the current the third quarter of this year.Speaking of the work of the eighth meeting of the Regional Committee for the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region, which were held in Kinshasa from 23 to 24 July 2013, the Prosperité newspaper announces that members of the United ICGLR expect such a determination to work together to cut the link between mineral revenues and financing of illegal armed groups that cause insecurity and instability in the region. Also, they want to open the way for competitiveness on the international market.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday 24, July 2013

Several media have echoed the work of the eighth meeting of the Regional Committee for the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region, which will be held from Tuesday 23 to Wednesday, July 24, at the Grand Hotel Kinshasa. Relating the opening session yesterday, the Potentiel newspaper reported that Minister of Mines invites experts to provide objective recommendations. The newspaper said the meeting was part of the official launch of the regional certificate of origin of the minerals in the DRC. Organized by the ICGLR, in collaboration with the national coordination mechanism of the DRC, with the support of GIZ, the 8th meeting aims to: take stock of the progress of implementation tools fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources and, in particular, regional certification, identify priority areas for certification that require support from partnersThe national coordinator of the ICGLR, Baudouin Hamuli said: "We are all invited by the ICGLR and the Government of the DRC for two days for the launch of the Regional Certificate of origin of the minerals of the ICGLR. This is the actual realization of the will of the Heads of State of the ICGLR to provide the region with a regional certificate for export of minerals, such as tools to fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources, like the Kimberley Process rough diamond. "In his view, "this certificate ICGLR" is not only a means to impose law and order in the process of production, marketing and export of mineral resources, but also to contribute to the peace and to regional stabilization, cutting the supply circuit resources mafia groups who foment wars and armed conflicts in the region, particularly in the eastern DRC for almost two decades.For his part, the Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu, said: "The dates of 23 and 24 July 2013 will be recorded in golden letters in the annals of the history of the Congolese mining sector, which organizes for the first time a high-level workshop in conjunction with the ICGLR to launch the Certificate ICGLR for the DRC. " Addressing the meeting, the minister asked them to the attention of policy makers, objective recommendations to pave the way.In the same subject, the Forum des AS newspaper also informs that the DRC to a regional certification / identification ICGLR and its ores indicates that the Government, through its Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu wants to ensure access minerals from the DRC on the international market in accordance with the criteria established by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). According to the newspaper, this work aims the implementation of a regional certificate of identification of minerals from the DRC under the name 3T. The ceremony will take place at the end of the workshop organized jointly by the DRC and the Executive Secretariat of the ICGLR at the Grand Hotel Kinshasa (GHK) on the traceability of minerals in the different Member States, the challenges and glimpse future prospectsTo believe the Minister Kabwelulu, the Phare newspaper notes on the same folder, this session aims to assess progress since the Special Summit of Lusaka on the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources, held in December 2010 . During this meeting, it must be recalled, the Heads of State and Government of the countries of the Great Lakes had instructed relevant agencies of their respective countries to implement the six tools to fight against the illegal exploitation of resources natural. It was among other things, regional certification mechanism, harmonization of national legislation, the regional database on the flow of minerals, the formation of the artisanal mining sector, the promotion of the Initiative Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the threat of early warning.Regarding the certification process, note the newspaper, the minister recalled to implement responsible and sustainable chain free of conflict minerals within and between these countries it was intended, to break the link between the illegal exploitation mineral resources and financing activities of non-state armed groups who commit serious human rights violations and atrocities turn kind in our area.On another note, the Prospérité newspapers reported that career Kinsuka seeking investors. Career Kinsuka is located west of the city-province of Kinshasa, along the Congo River. According to the newspaper, this career is out of sight, capable of contributing to the construction of thousands of homes, cement production and other derivatives for construction. Unfortunately, it is exploited by artisanal that produce cassiterite. Lack of appropriate technology, industrial and artisanal find their account. In the dry season when the bed of the River Congo is released from its waters, it's time for the miners to make a little money. Young and old gather clumps of loose stones and customers expect!Moreover, the Potentiel newspapers informs that Kagame prepares the flood in the Great Lakes states and the rain of criticism fell on the Rwandan president heralds a probable late strongman Kigali. After long prevailed in the Great Lakes region, Paul Kagame is now in the situation of a single man. Isolated and cornered from all sides, he promised to destabilize the entire region. The Rwandan president is not ready to run alone. After him, the deluge will. According to BCC, Paul Kagame wants to blood and fire the Great Lakes region. The M23 goes for the execution of its business Machiavellian plan. His revelations fall when Human Rights Watch reiterated in a report released Monday, July 22, Kagame's stranglehold on the rebellion of M23

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Referring the thirty-fourth meeting of the year 2013 followed by the economic and financial situation in the country, headed by the Prime Minister, the newspaper L'Avenir informs that despite the decline in copper prices. The macroeconomic framework remains stable. The newspaper wrote: "In the field of raw materials, July 18, 2013, it is a decline in copper 1.55% Thus, tonne traded at $ 6,885, against $ 6,995 last week. . It is the same for cobalt which lost 2.5% of its value, and has sold $ 32,259.15 per tonne against $ 33,075 per tonne previously. Prices of petroleum products, July 18, continued to rise in both markets. prices barrels totaled $ 108.58 (0.9%) on the London market and $ 107.89 (3.1%) on the New York market . As for agricultural products, to 18 July 2013, their prices are falling, and have the following changes: corn (-1.9%), wheat (-2.4%) and soybeans (-8.2 %). "At the national level, it is noted the continued macroeconomic stability, with stronger convergence prospects for achieving growth rate of 8.2% for fiscal 2013. Moreover, the confidence of economic operators consolidates. The main macroeconomic indicators showed the following trends this week: The weekly inflation rate is 0.038% (0.007). On the year, inflation reached 0,453%. Annualized, the inflation rate at the end of 2013 would be 0.814%, against a target of 4% at July 19, 2013, the exchange rate has remained stable on the back of a 0.5% appreciation in the and only 0.04% on the parallel market. The exchange rate is indicative of past 919.28 CDF / USD 915.11 CDF / USD, and 928.00 CDF / USD 927.67 in parallel segment, international reserves at July 19, 2013 have increased slightly and reached 1,658.1 million, against 1643.28 million last week. The current level of imports cover 8.79 weeks, the director of the Central Bank of Congo rate remains at 3% since its downward revision of 28 February 2013.In the same vein, with regard to the repatriation of export earnings, the Potentiel newspaper announces that the mining are in the crosshairs of government. The tabloid wrote. "Mining companies operating in the DRC are now in the viewfinder of the government accuses them of" strict non-compliance "provisions for repatriation of export earnings Strategic Troika government met Monday around the Prime Minister banged his fist on the table, after having read the preliminary report submitted by the Governor of BCC. Forthwith strategic troika recommended that appropriate actions should be considered after the development of the final report due ".The same newspaper reported that the rainforest of the DRC is abused and notes that despite commitments loggers, in Equateur, millions of hectares of forests destroyed are not restored. Population, environmental services and civil society raise the tone for the funds received by the Congolese government actually serve to reforest.

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, July 22, 2013

Speaking of closing Saturday, July 20, 2013 Workshop on optimizing land governance and natural resources, the newspaper le Phare believes that the ways of the land reform are finally marked. The newspaper notes that "based on four themes:" Recognition and security "," Conflicts of competence interdepartmental regarding land "," vertical skills in land matters "and" resolution of land conflicts, "four committees led to the formulation of resolutions and recommendations that the Minister of Land Affairs appreciated the quality. For him, they are the tag, if safeguards in the establishment of a road, in connection with the ongoing reform. Among recommendations, the newspaper said, for example, for acquired rights in accordance with custom, the participants called on the Government to specify by regulation, the legal status of customary land rights in order to establish customary rights indisputable bases. The government must establish the principles of prior consultation of the local communities in all processes of allocation of space and land rights acquisition and exploitation rights of natural resources.In another case the Forum des As newspaper announced that the National Electricity Company (SNEL) has the last few days started the campaign on the low flow of the Congo River. On Friday, July 19 in room Bibi Play in Kalamu commune, 6 municipalities in the district of Funa closely followed the main speaker of the day, the CEO of the corporation Eric Mbala Musanda Administrator. Who, in his word, recommended economy of electric energy to its partners in their daily lives and to adhere to the "prepayment meter" to consume less.
     The newspaper notes that the CEO (Ad) of Snel said that low water is a natural phenomenon that goes from May to late August. According to him, the work of Inga was designed to operate for low water. Unfortunately, he lamented, for 40 years, his behavior did not suffer any serious maintenance. Must, to date, a machine that will start to remove the sand from the channel to overcome the problem of low water in the DRC, said the Ad of SNEL. "This is what is at the base of shedding experienced since June in our city to protect machines", informs the No. 1 Snel.The tri-weekly Congo Nouveau releases list of 85 multinationals who finance the war in the DRC and wrote: "Here is the list of 85 multinational implicated by the UN in the plunder of the DRC and indirect funding to the Civil War East in a 2003 report. Following this report, the UN took no sanction which only reinforces the suspicion of complicity around MONUSCO, UN military forces in the DRC. Among these companies, some are accused of carrying a view to provide logistical support directly arming the rebels or loyalists. they are either protected by the UN or by the State that hosts. Such was the case of Anvil Mining in Canada Afrimex or in Britain or many other multinationals in Belgium. has noted that many are originally from South Africa in close connection with the UK.Radio Okapi reported that a woman was killed and more than three hectares of cassava fields ravaged by a herd of elephants Mangi, a town located 250 km northeast of the city of Kamina, Katanga. According to the administrator of the territory Bukama, Bokalanagana Boyoma Upemba these elephants from the park. For the head of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), a plan for delivery of these elephants has existed for over three years. Felix Mbayo, Provincial Director of ICCN, says his institution does not have the means to repress some 250 elephants and bring them back into the park.The Catholic Agency DIA announced that as part of the intensification of agriculture, Bandundu province has plans to distribute cassava varieties resistant to mosaic. According to experts CARG, Rural Agricultural Management Board, the province wants to replace 50% of local varieties in 3 years.

DRC natural resources press review of Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Radio Okapi reports that the price per gram of dry gold rose from 60 to 38 U.S. dollars in the space of two months in Bunia in Eastern Province. The president of the cooperative of gold traders in Ituri (conori) Lonema Mukua stated Saturday, July 13 at a meeting with the operators in the mining sector. According to him, it is a consequence of the decline in the price of this precious material in the world. He pointed out that gold traders in Bunia experience now enormous difficulties in selling their goods on the market.In fact, traders who had bought gold at a high price, do not want to sell their goods for not working at a loss. The president of the cooperative of gold from Ituri traders explained that most of these traders are worried about the turn of events.Speaking of green development, the Prosperité newspaper announces that the Government is carbon credit and notes that: "Meeting Monday, July 15, 2013, with the Prime Minister, members of the cluster productive sector have combed through several folders likely 'rake in revenues to the DRC. Notably, the reduction of gas emissions greenhouse program and a workshop on land governance for institutions. According to the newspaper, the Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, Bavo N'sa Mputu, presented the program to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases for the districts of Plateau and Mai-Ndombe. This program, he explained, aims to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by fighting against deforestation and forest degradation, but also to increase the forest carbon stock.The newspaper l'Avenir bounces off the record to inform Sokimo than inactive for nearly three decades, the mining company Kilo-Moto (Sokimo) begins to rise from the ashes is the new time in the crosshairs of hands black scheming that its destabilization. To believe our bloodhounds, calls unjustified stoppage of work are launched in recent days, the location of the agents began to regain hope of seeing this upright former flagship of the economy of the Eastern province. Indeed, consistent reliable sources reveal that this initiative is part of undermining their own partners Sokimo unable to pay farm-rent owed to the business. Only the mining company Mining Kibale is not included in the lot of the insolvent partners.To fight against load shedding, the newspaper Potentiel reports that SNEL advocates saving electricity and wrote: "The National Electricity Company (SNEL) is stop for some time, with enormous difficulties in supply of electricity. Among the causes, we can note the low water. Experts inform that this is a very low flow increased on the Congo River, following the early cessation of rains in the western region of the country ". To build awareness about the current state of the situation as it stands at the Inga hydroelectric dam, the provincial director of Snel / Bas-Congo, Daniel Mukutu Ndombasi advises subscribers to internalize the notion of saving electrical energy. He advocated a recipe "palliative, convenient and easy." "We recommend that subscribers Snel energy saving. To do this, he said, it is recommended to turn off the lights during the day. "Forum des As newspaper reports that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jean Chrysostome Vahamwiti, visited last Tuesday, July 16, 2013, the Center for rearing and training located in the territory of Kasangulu Cataractes district, in the province of Bas-Congo. This site visit was sanctioned by the ribbon cutting, a symbol of the official launch of all other centers stocking and training for fish farmers scattered across the country. For the newspaper, this gesture marks a fish business revolution that begins with Kasangulu.The newspaper explained that the nursery Kasangulu Centre is one of 25 centers in the DRC long abandoned or underutilized inherited from colonial times. Although robbed and reduced its original area that was 3 hectares, the center has 11 Kasangulu breeding ponds rehabilitated related infrastructure réfectionnées, three new production ponds built to the standards of art. It is able to produce 5 tons of catfish and tilapia fingerlings per year to plant more than 120 acres of ponds over 600 fish farmers identified

DRC natural resources press review of Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Prospérité newspaper announces that, as part of the illegal exploitation of natural resources, the Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu launches the ICGLR / DRC and written certificate: "Provincial Ministers of Mines and Heads of Provincial Divisions Mines and Geology, the Provincial Directors of CEEC, the Heads of provincial antenna SAESSCAM and the Governors of the provinces will be in Kinshasa on Wednesday 24 July, to help launch the Certificate ICGLR / DRC. Minister of Mines organizing this event under the patronage of the Prime Minister, together with the Executive Secretariat of the ICGLR (International Conference of the Great Lakes Region). This ceremony is firmly in the context of the commitments made by the DRC to carry out the decisions and recommendations of the Special Summit on the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources held in Lusaka on 15 December 2010 by the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the ICGLR. "
On another note, Radio Okapi reports that more than fifteen thousand inhabitants in the territory group Yalibande Isangi 150 km west of Kisangani (Orientale Province) are deprived of drinking water for over a month. Water sources begin to dry appointed pending the period of the dry season and water mixed with mud becomes unfit for consumption, said this Monday, July 15 morning local civil society. It calls for urgent action by health authorities and political Isangi. According to some parents, many children are already suffering from diarrhea and intestinal worms.
For its part, the Potentiel newspaper reports that the insolvent partners singled out in the strike to Sokimo and notes: "Threat of strike at the mining company Kilo-Moto, Sokimo in Bunia after a late payment of wages the last month. BGFIBANK which houses the staff salaries Sokimo have recorded a liquidity problem to serve the agents of this mixed company. The straw that broke the camel is really only the tree that hides the forest. This forest is made up of insolvent partners Sokimo who are reluctant to pay the cost of rent. Yet this source of financing of the Sokimo is the only one that allowed the construction of the plant Moku in Eastern Province. In the coming days, the plant will be operational in order to allow the DRC to export refined prices including value gold.
Through correspondence, the Director General of Sokimo has formally insolvent partners, who pay back the Sokimo not constitute a contractual obligation by way of legal consequences. Fearing the recovery of industrial production to Sokimo, before their next departure, the insolvent partners try to use workers as shields to put in a lot of revival of Sokimo which are small to small, positive results ".
Referring to the product of artisanal fisheries, the Forum des AS newspaper believes that smoked fish on two sold comes from Kinshasa "Libongo" and explains that "the sale of smoked product of artisanal fish stop the problem of multiplicity From the Central Station in Port Baramoto control services at the river ports of the capital., there are surprisingly more than twenty ports which are the docking points and distribution of fishery products ". The development of traditional fishing on the Congo River was accompanied by a relative increase in local consumption of fish. This, compared to fresh and frozen fish imported. This growth is due to the concerns of residents (nostalgic) in Kinshasa do want to consume that local and organic, although the westernization of dietary habits in Kinshasa tends to change habits.
       So that the presence of smoked fish markets ever so slightly to stimulate demand. The enthusiasm of some particular Kinshasa for smoked fish regularly pushes them to go in the ports of the capital.

DRC natural resources press review of Monday, July 15, 2013

For agricultural production, the Potentiel newspaper announces that the government research funding of $ 5.730 billion. According to the daily, annual USD 1.5 billion is spent on massive food imports. In agricultural production, the government has been conspicuously absent for 25 years. A tendency to reverse! rA this purpose, the paper said, on 17 and 18 September 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is planning a business meeting to bring together 400 investors from various backgrounds. The government claims to have mobilized 15% of USD 5.730 billion. It remains to meet the remaining 85%. To do this, it will be organized this business meeting which covers over 400 national and international investors. The task is not easy. "This meeting will mark a turning point in funding the Congolese agriculture.
The tabloid says Minister John Chrysostom Vahamwiti Mukesyayira regret: "Despite its enormous agricultural potential, our country that drains scarce resources for agriculture. Apart from the efforts of the government and our traditional donors, other types of investments, including from private, are sorely lacking. "Quite a challenge!

The same information, the Phare newspaper, citing Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the business meeting is held in order to write a new page in the development of Congolese agriculture to move from farming substance to actually create wealth agriculture, guaranteeing the well-being of the population.

DRC natural resources press review of Friday, July 12, 2013

The newspaper the Potentiel reports that the Government, by an intergovernmental order signed by the Minister of Mines and the Deputy Finance, extended until 31 December 2013 moratorium prohibiting exports of unrefined crude ores. According to Bloomberg, which relays the same information, the ban on exports of copper and cobalt from the DRC unprocessed, scheduled to begin this month, is postponed until the end of the year. Supposed to force mining companies to process metals and minerals in the Congo, however, this prohibition is impractical. Mining groups complain because of the scarcity of electricity production to process all minerals and had requested a delay in the implementation of the embargo.The tabloid said that the DRC is the eighth-largest copper producer in the world and the largest producer of cobalt in 2012, according to U.S. Geological Survey. But power shortages have forced some mining companies to install generators or buy electricity from neighboring Zambia to run their factories.Remain in the ores to note that, according to Agence Ecofin, Tiger Resources Ltd. announced on July 11, a scaled up 173% of the deposit indicated resource Sase Central its copper project in the province Lupoto Katanga in Congo. According to the Australian company listed on ASX, indicated resources totaled 9.6 Mt at a grade of 1.39% copper, with 134,000 tonnes of copper and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt. It is, according to the company, an increase of 173% compared to 49 000 tonnes of copper measured in March 2011.Inferred resources are also estimated at 2.8 Mt at a grade of 1.21% copper, with 34,000 tonnes of copper and 1,000 tonnes of cobalt. "The feasibility study of the deposit Sase Central will be completed in late 2013. If inconclusive, Tiger submit a request to change the operating 2014 "exploration Lupoto permit allowed, announced Brad Marwood, managing director of Tiger Resources Ltd.. The agency said that Tiger Resources Ltd. holds 100% Lupoto copper project located 23 km south of the Kipoi Copper Project in which it owns a 60% interest, northwest of Lubumbashi, Katanga province.Still on the issue of mines, Radio Okapi reports that the crisis in the Kilo Moto Mining Company (Sokimo) was the focus of a meeting which met on Wednesday, July 10 at Bunia national caucus of members elected Ituri and officers of the company. The meeting comes two days after peaceful protests about 80 officers of this company were organized in the city to demand the resignation of their management committee, accused of mismanagement. After the meeting, the MPs said investigate to understand the real challenges facing the Sokimo and external partners, including the South African AngloGold Ashanti Kilo.For its part, the weekly the Revolution reports concern of Major André Mukonda who cares about the non-use of his men by oil. According to the newspaper, the Congolese State expensively trained police officers who are responsible for monitoring the oil and mining industries sites knowingly. They specialize in mining, transportation and marketing of oil so that mining products. In addition, they are OPJ restricted jurisdiction to find cases of illegal storage of petroleum products and precious materials from mines. They have the authority to stop forthwith all offenders. As a result, they and maximize revenues to the Treasury by the services listed above. But now the oil companies and ignore the state does not get involved enough for their assignment in the mining and oil companies as they are responsible for security. Especially those who are in good standing with the state. (...) Thus the detachment commander of the national mining and hydrocarbon Police Major Mukonda André appealed both to the authorities concerned ministries as those of mining companies and hydrocarbons, so they use them.On another note, Radio Okapi announced that a wildfire has consumed more Wednesday, July 10 acres of corn and cassava in the group Kakokwela on Kamashi Kabuya axis in the territory of Bukama (Katanga), say witnesses on site. They explained that the flames would Mukungwe parts of the neighboring village where women were in search of wild rats. Some farmers who had made small granaries for the next cropping season say they have lost everything. The president of the farmers and fishermen of the chiefdom Kabondo Dianda feared for his part that this not only causes a substantial loss, but also the famine in this country especially as many have also lost their seed.The same source reports that environmentalist recommend the complete cutting of fruit trees. Nicolas Shoku, environmental expert, called the farmers who produce the charcoal not to cut the fruit trees. A practice that tends to spread. In an interview Tuesday, July 9 at Radio Okapi, he regretted seeing farmers in Bas-Congo cut orange, mango, safoutiers and other fruit trees to make charcoal. An activity that contributes to the destruction of species. He said that the tree as a renewable resource should not be cut into disorder to facilitate regeneration.