Latest news with #CDMC
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Congolese mining company rejects US allegations following sanctions
The Congolese mining company sanctioned by the US this week has said it "categorically rejects" allegations linking it to armed groups and mineral smuggling in turbulent eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The US treasury department on Tuesday announced sanctions against the Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC) over what it called the illicit sale of critical minerals smuggled from the mineral-rich region of Rubaya. The US also sanctioned the Coalition des Patriotes Resistants Congolais-Forces de Frappe (PARECO-FF) — an armed group aligned with DRC's military which Washington said controlled mining sites in Rubaya from 2022 to 2024 — and two Hong Kong-based exporters. CDMC said control of its sites by armed groups meant the company could not operate legally. "We are not the perpetrators — but the primary victims — of the armed conflict and pillage that have destabilised this region," CDMC said in a statement received by Reuters late on Wednesday.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US sanctions Congo militia tied to forced labour, smuggling in key mining zone
The US government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for US access to the region's minerals. The US is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals which were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya.(Representational Image/AP) A senior US government official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement said the State and Treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labour and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said in Washington. The US is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals which were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the US or under US control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under the control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by US sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the US to help end the conflict while helping the US government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by August 18, but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking each other's forces.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo
The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region's minerals. A senior U.S. government official said the state and treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labor and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said. The U.S. is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals that were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the U.S. or under U.S. control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by U.S. sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the conflict while helping the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking the others forces. ___ Kamale reported from Kinshasa, Congo. Kabumba reported from Goma, Congo. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in D.C. contributed to this report.
