Kolwezi mining crackdown sparks violent protests in DRC

Violent protests erupted in Kolwezi, Lualaba province, on October 19 and 20, 2026, following a government crackdown on illegal mining activities. The unrest was triggered by an interservices task force sent from Kinshasa to inspect mineral processing entities, buying offices, and trading circuits to ensure compliance and remove unauthorized personnel from industrial concessions.

Artisanal miners protested against restrictions on mineral sales and efforts to relocate them from certain mining sites, fearing the loss of their livelihoods. The demonstrations led to significant disruptions in traffic, business, and school operations. Reports indicate that vehicles, including mineral-carrying trucks, were set on fire, and a police station was vandalized and burned. While local sources reported injuries and civil society organizations reported deaths, an official casualty count has not been consolidated.

The situation has also led to internal administrative shifts, including the suspension of two officials from the Service d’Assistance et d’Encadrement des Mines Artisanales et de Petite Échelle (SAEMAPE). The government faces the complex challenge of protecting industrial mining investments and enforcing regulations while maintaining legal markets and access for small-scale miners in a region critical for copper and cobalt production.