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Ivanhoe Mines Chairman proposes DRC mining code changes

Published by , Assistant Editor
Global Mining Review,


Recently, Executive Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, Robert Friedland, announced his plans to address potential changes that have been proposed to the mining code of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in his keynote presentation at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, this morning.

Friedland’s presentation was scheduled to begin at 9 am Cape Town time today. The annual conference is Africa’s largest mining event and is attended by political leaders, government ministers and representatives of most African nations, international investors, financial institutions, mining industry executives and major news media.

According to Ivanhoe Mines, draft legislation to amend the DRC’s 2002 mining code has been approved by the country’s National Assembly and Senate. However, before any of the proposed changes in the draft legislation become law, they first must receive final approval in the form of the DRC President’s signature – and that has not occurred to this point in time.

Friedland announced that Ivanhoe Mines has agreed to work with key decision makers of other major international mining companies to establish a new organisation dedicated to advancing open, accountable and sustainable mining in the DRC, based on recognised, best international practices and complete transparency of the entire supply chain.

 

“Ivanhoe Mines, in common with all international participants in the DRC mining industry, expects that the government will respect and protect the spirit and the letter of the current mining code. However, there remains the distinct possibility of unified, industry-led actions if the proposed changes do become law,” Friedland said.

“We are absolutely determined to see that any additional revenues generated from our projects directly benefit the Congolese people. We also expect to receive assurances that previous agreements will continue to be honoured to safeguard the DRC’s future as an important destination for mining investment.”

According to Friedland, the Ivanhoe group of companies has been continuously active in the DRC for more than 20 years.

Friedland said: “Nine years ago, when we announced our initial copper discovery at the Kamoa Project, we said that ‘Kamoa will advance the DRC’s stature as one of the world’s most important copper producers. Kamoa will become an important pillar of the country’s economy and help to build sustainable livelihoods and communities through social and economic programs responsive to local needs – all of which is extremely good news in the heart of Africa.’

 

“Our ongoing discoveries already have established Kamoa-Kakula as one of the five largest copper deposits in the world, containing the world’s richest copper grades.

“Today, we are proud to be able to say that we certainly have delivered on our 2009 undertakings. And, to be sure, we are just getting started. We resolutely stand by our statements that we made nine years ago.” Friedland added: “I’m looking forward to providing a comprehensive update to the assembled international investors, African ministers and members of the media during our Indaba presentation, on behalf of our shareholders and our South African as well as Congolese stakeholders.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/07022018/mining-indaba-ivanhoe-mines-chairman-to-propose-drc-mining-code-changes/

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African mining news