The new research is based on interviews with over 30 workers across six major mining operations, and follows on from in-depth research conducted in 2021 which exposed widespread exploitation of Congolese workers.

The updated research reveals that widespread labour rights abuses continue, particularly for subcontracted workers who make up the majority of the labour force, including:

• Wages well below the Kolwezi living wage, leaving workers unable to afford food or education for their children;
• Unsafe conditions and inadequate healthcare, with some workers reporting exposure to toxic substances and being denied treatment after accidents;
• Gruelling shifts and excessive hours, with some workers on back-to-back shifts for 30 days straight;
• Union suppression and discrimination, including sexual misconduct, racial abuse, and retaliation against workers who try to organise.

The mining operations included in the study are Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), Eurasian Resources Group’s Metalkol RTR, China Molybdenum’s Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company’s Somidez mine, Zijin Mining Group’s COMMUS mine and Sicomines, the joint venture between Gécamines and a consortium of Chinese companies and investors.

The Resource Centre invited the companies mentioned in the report to respond to the allegations.

The following company responded : CMOC Group (TFM), Eurasian Resources Group (Metalkol RTR) and Zijin Mining (COMMUS). The full responses are linked below.

The following companies did not respond: Glencore (Kamoto Copper Company), China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (Somidez) and Sicomines.