DRC Government to Revive Diamond Joint Venture

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) government has announced it will revive mining company Anhui Congo Investissement (Sacim) in Miabi, Kasaï Oriental.

Jointly owned by the Congolese state and China’s Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation, Sacim has recently been facing operational, managerial and social difficulties, despite producing around 250,000 carats of diamonds per month.

According to Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, Minister of Mines, DRC, the crisis stems from a ministerial order which restricted Sacim to selling its diamonds exclusively to a limited number of Congolese buyers approved by the state. This restriction reportedly caused a sharp drop in revenue, leading to salary arrears of up to 13 months and triggering worker protests.

To resolve the situation, Minister Mulume has proposed restoring the company’s right to freely market its production. A new ministerial order was issued on June 2, 2025, repealing the previous restriction and reinstating the company’s commercial freedom in line with the Mining Code.

The Council of Ministers acknowledged the information and the new directive, which is expected to ease tensions among Sacim employees and local stakeholders.