Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have detained at least 60 people, including Chinese, Lebanese, Syrian, Moroccan, Iraqi and Palestinian nationals, during an operation at the Boss Mining concession in Kakanda, Lualaba province.
The arrests took place on 28 October, and many detainees were suspected of lacking valid residence or work permits, according to Go FM.
A separate report said the site was the Menda quarry within Boss Mining’s concession, and that the action focused on irregular immigration status rather than a confirmed criminal network. Congolese civilians and military personnel were also reportedly detained over alleged links to the activities under investigation.
Authorities seized cash in US dollars and Congolese francs, but have not said where it came from or whether it is connected to mining.
The arrests follow an intensifying enforcement campaign across Congo’s copper- and cobalt-producing southeast. Earlier in October, the Directorate General for Migration deported 114 Chinese and Filipino nationals from Lualaba and Haut-Katanga after immigration checks, and 70 were removed from Kolwezi and 44 from Lubumbashi.
The deportations were framed as a response to undocumented residency, although authorities also said foreign investment remains welcome provided employers comply with immigration and labor rules.
In mid-October, about 300 Chinese nationals were detained around Kolwezi on suspicion of illicit mining on concessions held by other companies. Chinese firms play a major role in Congo’s copper and cobalt output, making the sector especially sensitive to questions of permits, labor compliance and mineral sourcing.
DRC’s Mines Minister Louis Watum suspended Jean-Paul Kapongo Kadiobo, head of the artisanal-mining regulator SAEMAPE, accusing him of failing to prevent illicit artisanal mining on permits assigned to other firms. A multi-agency commission is now working in Kolwezi to demilitarize mining sites, audit processing plants, and relocate artisanal miners to authorized areas.
