The incidents outlined across these reports illustrate a clear pattern of targeted violence against mining operations in the DRC’s eastern regions, often against Chinese owned mining firms that proliferate the DRC’s mining sector. Chinese companies dominate the DRC’s copper and cobalt production, holding over 70% of its copper output and investing more than $20 billion into the sector. Congolese renegotiations with Chinese companies in 2024 hope to garner further investment, a greater Congolese share of profits, and greater community development. Even so, continued foreign dominance of the mining sector continues to be resented locally. Tensions between industrial and artisanal miners stem from economic disparities and limited access to mining zones for local miners. Such economic disputes aggravate existing ethnic and political grievances, particularly concerning resource distribution and foreign involvement in local economies. CODECO and other militias are thus presented opportunities to violently address such local grievances to garner greater legitimacy. Reports of militia attacks on mining operations are detailed below.

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Summary of Reports

• July 2024 (Djugu Territory, Ituri Province):

  • CODECO militia attacked a Chinese-linked gold mine, killing six Chinese nationals and two Congolese soldiers. The attackers’ motives aligned with CODECO’s goal to disrupt foreign exploitation of resources.

• October 27–31, 2023 (Nganja District):

  • Three Congolese nationals were killed, and five were injured in an attack on a Chinese mining operation. One of the attackers was among the deceased.

  • This attack prompted another Chinese mining firm to halt its operations.

• October 9, 2023 (Misisi, Fizi Territory):

  • Two Chinese nationals and two security personnel were killed in an early-morning attack. Reports suggest this incident is part of a string of assaults on Chinese-owned mining sites in the region.

• September 1, 2023 (Ngalula, Fizi Region):

  • Attackers ambushed a convoy, killing four people (including two Chinese nationals) and injuring three others. The motive appeared to be the theft of gold packages.

  • Armed groups in the region, such as FARDC and FDLR, are suspected of involvement but not definitively identified.