Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) Africa subsidiary Boss Mining has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to take the necessary measures to stop illegal activities and restore lawful access to, and secure, sites affected by illegal mining at its operations to ensure the safety of its employees, stakeholders and surrounding communities.

The company says illegal artisanal mining activities contributed to a March 11 landslide within its mining concession in the Kakanda area, which resulted in several fatalities and injuries.

“Boss Mining strongly condemns the presence of illegal operations within its concession,” the company says.

In a media release, the company says it denies any wrongdoing or responsibility in relation to this incident.

The company expresses that these activities are neither controlled nor authorised by Boss Mining and have been the subject of all required regulatory notifications and formal complaints submitted to the competent authorities, including the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Interior, the National Commission Against Mining Fraud, as well as the relevant provincial and local authorities.

Boss Mining says it has, since 2022, been formally alerting its local partners and the relevant authorities regarding the significant risks posed by the heavy presence of illegal semi-mechanised and unauthorised artisanal mining activities operating within its concession; and the fact that Boss Mining personnel have been denied access to this site owing to the presence of unauthorised armed individuals preventing lawful access and protecting said illegal activities.

“These repeated notifications have, to date, not resulted in the restoration of control over the affected areas,” the company claims.

“Despite these legal actions and repeated notifications, Boss Mining’s concession – as well as other ERG Africa assets located in Lualaba province, namely COMIDE and Swanmines – continue to be affected by the presence of illegal mining activities, which threaten the lives of artisanal miners, ERG Africa employees and local communities, and lead to environmental damages.”

“The company extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” it adds.

The company says ERG Africa acknowledges that legal and well-regulated artisanal mining plays an important socioeconomic role in the DRC.

However, Boss Mining says illegal and unregulated mining activities – such as those to which Boss Mining’s concession has been, and continues to be, subjected – pose grave risks to the safety and wellbeing of local communities and must be brought to an end by the relevant DRC authorities.

In this regard, the company says it supports all efforts aimed at promoting the formalisation and integration of such activities into the applicable legal framework, with a view to improving safety, transparency and the wellbeing of local communities.

“Boss Mining reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety of all persons, the protection of its operational perimeter, and the responsible management of its activities and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities.”