Massive crowd throngs to gold-rich ore in Congo; authorities suspend mining to regain control

The ore in Luhihi was discovered in late February, scores of diggers have reached the site since

Thousands of diggers thronged to a gold-rich ore discovered in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alarming the authorities of the small village.

Authorities have put in place a ban on mining in the area till more oversight can be set up for mining activities.

The ore in Luhihi was discovered in late February, and scores of diggers have reached the site since.

South Kivu Mines Minister Venant Burume Muhigirwa said the crowd of diggers is putting pressure on the village, which is 50 km from the province capital of Bukavu.

Traders, miners and members of Congo's Armed Forces were asked to leave the mine sites in and around Luhihi and mining has been suspended till further notice. The decree issued by the authorities said that the armed forces were adding to the disorder at the site. The decree said order must be brought to protect the people in the area and to ensure "traceability of the gold produced in line with the Congolese law".

Muhigirwa said that suspending the activities will help officials identify and verify miners who are registered with regulators.

Extracting minerals with basic tools, also known as subsistence mining, is very common in Congo, especially gold mining since the east and northeast parts of the country have rich reserves of the precious metal.