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DRC Mining: Tenke Fungurume allocates $31 million for community projects

Writer's picture: Buunda JacksonBuunda Jackson

Tenke Fungurume, a Chinese-owned mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has allocated $31 million to community projects to fulfill its social responsibilities, as stipulated in the DRC's revised mining law.

 

In a bid to promote community development, Tenke Fungurume has announced significant investment in various community projects, particularly in the southeastern province of Lualaba. This initiative underlines the company's commitment to contributing positively to the development of the region where it operates.

 

According to the DRC's revised 2018 mining law, the government requires each mining company to devote 0.3% of its revenue to the local communities where they operate. The law requires companies to develop detailed specifications describing their commitments to improving the living conditions of residents and fostering good relations with communities. These specifications are developed in collaboration with community representatives to ensure that they meet local expectations.

 

The $31 million investment will cover a range of projects benefiting local residents, focusing on critical areas such as education, health, road infrastructure, water and sanitation. These projects will extend over five years, from 2021 to 2025.

 

The Chinese-owned company has already completed several infrastructure projects and handed them over to local authorities. In 2021, more than nine health centers were built in Fungurume health zone.

 

Dr Edward Swana, director of community development at Tenke Fungurume, stressed that the company's involvement is not limited to construction.


"We don't just build health centers; we equip them and provide them with medicines for six months, in addition to offering training programs for medical staff. Remember, this infrastructure does not belong to TFM , they belong to the local community and are managed by their health zone."

 

Adjacent to St. Francis Xavier, a hospital built and fully equipped by Tenke Fungurume, the company has built a 12-classroom school. The head of staff of the Primary, Secondary and Vocational Education Sub-Division of Fungurume Education Division welcomed the initiative.


"Our community presented its needs to TFM, and we are happy that today our children are starting to study in good conditions. In the past, we only had one building, but now the school has enough classrooms, offices and even a staff room.”




 

Father Jean Marie Diango, vicar of Tenke and chief administrator of the school, acknowledged the improvements but mentioned some shortcomings.


"Given the number of students and the growth of the population, it is still not enough. For example, the secondary school only has six classrooms, and they sometimes have to use those in the school "We are therefore asking for more schools to meet this growing need."

 

In response, the director in charge of community relations at TFM said the company plans to expand the existing school and build more schools to accommodate everyone.

 

Regarding employment, Tenke Fungurume employs over 3,400 full-time employees, 98% of whom are Congolese citizens. However, some criticize the fact that only 10% of these Congolese employees hold management positions. The human resources director explained that this problem has more to do with skills than discrimination, and that the company addresses it by organizing training to enable employees to qualify for higher positions.

 

Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is expected to produce between 520,000 and 570,000 metric tons of copper by the end of 2024. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, reflecting the expansion of mining capacity and increased production. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, TFM produced approximately 147,500 metric tons of copper. This increase in production capacity and yields positions TFM among the largest copper-producing mines in the world.

 

BUUNDA JACKSON

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