Banro Corp. fka BAA

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http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20160131-fraude-miniere-rdc-le-role-ministre-mines-question-cassiterite-sud-kivu

google translated

Mining fraud in the DRC: the role of the provincial minister in question
Cassiterite is a rare mineral used in electronics.
© AFP PHOTO / Emannuel PEUCHOT

By RFI Published on 31-01-2016 Changed at 31-01-2016 at 13:26

A mineral matter created controversy in South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It concerns a shipment of two tons of cassiterite, a small coveted black stone, seized by the anti-fraud services. The funds came from an area where the exploitation is prohibited by order of the Provincial Minister of Mines. But charging has still been certified by the agencies supposed to control its origin. To the surprise of the fraud, the provincial minister called for the lifting of the seizure.

The case cassiterite continues to make noise in the South Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facts behind the controversy back to 16 January.

Two tons of the rare mineral used in electronics are captured by anti-fraud services. The cargo comes into effect from the Mwenga area, where artisanal miners illegally extract the little black stone on a concession belonging to the Canadian company Banro.

To control exploitation and trade in cassiterite, the Congolese government and its partners have set up a series of mechanisms and several agencies are responsible to certify the origin of shipments.

For confiscated 40 boxes January 16, two state services and the association of producers, the Itri, validated the transaction. Problem, in a letter dated September 4, 2015, the Provincial Minister of Mines has clearly prohibits the sale of these minerals. But now the Minister requires that the seizure be lifted and that cassiterite is made to traders who were responsible.

He said it is not fraud but a single incident since the September letter had no legal value. It therefore considers that its services have not committed any fault. This decision has boosted the mining company Banro and the anti-fraud services. They claim that several articles of the Mining Code were violated and decided to enter the governor of the province.

In the area, many speculate the reason that prompted the Minister to reconsider his decision. They question in particular the role of his son, because it represents Itri in the territory of Mwenga and it is he who has validated the transaction.