Risk Vs Reward
Miners Calibrate the Costs of Operating in Lawless Lands
By Greg Klein
Part 1 of this story here
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is famously rich in mineral deposits. It is also notorious for destitution, corruption, sectarian violence, child soldiers and atrocities. Last November, election violence forced African Metals TSXV:AFR to evacuate expatriate personnel constructing its Luisha South Copper-Cobalt Property in Katanga Province. The workers have since returned following the re-election of Joseph Kabila, although his record of expropriation can hardly be reassuring to miners. Luisha’s plant is slated for production early this year.
Last October, in South Kivu Province, on the DRC’s eastern border with Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, Banro Corp TSX:BAA opened the country’s first gold mine in 50 years. Banro plans to use cash flow from the Twangiza Mine to open a second operation within 18 months, the Namoya Gold Mine in Maniema Province, immediately east of South Kivu.
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