How Chinese Gold Mining Threatens Congo's Okapi Wildlife Reserve

A Precious Reserve Under Threat

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve, located in the Ituri province of eastern Congo, was designated a protected site in 1996 for its rich biodiversity. Covering over 13,000 square kilometers (5,000 square miles), it is home to many endangered species, including the okapi, a forest giraffe. The reserve hosts about 15% of the world’s remaining okapis, estimated at 30,000. As part of the Congo Basin rainforest — the second largest in the world — it acts as a critical carbon sink, mitigating the effects of climate change.

Despite its protected status, a Chinese gold mining company, Kimia Mining Investment, is operating in the reserve. Critics argue that these activities are accelerating deforestation, polluting the soil and rivers, and disrupting local communities.

How Did Mining Begin in a Protected Site?

Initially, the reserve’s boundaries, established decades ago by the Congolese government, included the area now being mined. Over time, the boundaries were mysteriously altered, shrinking the protected area and enabling the issuance of mining permits. Rights groups claim this boundary manipulation was done under "opaque circumstances," potentially for personal gain by government officials.

The International Congolese Conservation Institute (ICCN), responsible for managing protected areas, recently clarified in discussions with Congo’s mining registry that the reserve’s original boundaries should remain in force. However, internal government documents obtained by AP revealed that all mining operations within the reserve, including Kimia Mining, would be closed. Yet, no clear timeline or enforcement strategy has been outlined.

Impact of Mining on the Environment

Mining activities are causing significant environmental degradation within the reserve. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, between January and May 2024, over 480 hectares (1,186 acres) of forest cover were lost—an area equivalent to 900 American football fields.

Residents and environmental experts report widespread deforestation, leaving patches of barren soil where lush forests once stood. Mercury, used in gold extraction, has been identified as a major pollutant, with serious long-term effects on ecosystems. “It’s poisoned by chemicals used by the Chinese,” said a former employee of Kimia Mining, highlighting the deteriorating fertility of the land.

Challenges for Local Communities

The impact on local communities has been devastating. Once reliant on artisanal mining and farming, residents now face severe income losses. The arrival of Chinese-operated mines has limited locals’ access to resources and left them dependent on a system many cannot afford.

One resident, Muvunga Kakule, used to earn a living from small-scale mining and selling produce. Since losing access to the reserve, his earnings have dropped by 95%, leaving him unable to send his children to school. Another villager, Assana, shared how deforestation from mining has reduced fish stocks in the river, forcing him to spend four days catching the same amount of fish he previously caught in a single day.

The Role of Mercury and Pollution

Mercury used in mining operations is a key concern for health and the environment. The United Nations has identified mercury as one of the top ten chemicals of public health concern. Its toxic effects extend to the nervous and immune systems, and it contaminates water sources, soil, and ecosystems. A report by the University of Antwerp corroborates the use of chemicals like mercury in mining, emphasizing their devastating effects on biodiversity.

Local residents also accuse Kimia Mining of leaving toxic pits open after operations. These pits pose significant hazards to both humans and wildlife, especially during heavy rains, as toxic water seeps into the soil.

Community Frustration and Double Standards

Community members have expressed anger over what they perceive as a double standard. While locals are prohibited from artisanal mining in the reserve, Chinese companies have been granted permits to operate there. Jean Kamana, the chief of Epulu village, called out the injustice, stating, “The community is worried because the Chinese are mining in a protected area when it’s forbidden for the community.”

The resentment is further fueled by the lack of economic benefits from mining operations. Local farmers struggle to sell produce, and many residents are forced to mine illegally, risking imprisonment.

A History of Violence and Exploitation

Eastern Congo has endured decades of conflict, with the Okapi Wildlife Reserve bearing the brunt of militia activity. In 2012, the reserve’s Epulu town witnessed a massacre by a local rebel group, which killed several residents, including two rangers, and slaughtered 14 captive okapis. This long history of unrest has left the reserve vulnerable to exploitation by both militias and commercial interests.

Today, mining operations are reportedly protected by military forces linked to powerful business and political interests. Soldiers have been accused of denying local officials access to mining sites, further complicating efforts to regulate these activities.

International Oversight and Accountability

Modifying the boundaries of a World Heritage Site requires approval from UNESCO experts and the World Heritage Committee. These bodies assess the potential impacts of boundary changes. However, the World Heritage Centre confirmed that no request to modify the Okapi Reserve’s boundaries has been made. The organization emphasized that such modifications for development purposes are rare and subject to stringent review.

Rights groups in Congo argue that the boundary changes enabling mining were illegal and made without UNESCO’s approval. Alexis Muhima, of the Congolese Civil Society Observatory for Peace Minerals, stated, “We all knew that Muchacha was within the reserve.” He linked the boundary shifts to the discovery of large quantities of gold in the area.

Kimia Mining’s Defense

Kimia Mining insists it is operating legally. The company’s spokesperson, Issa Aboubacar, stated that its permits were renewed until 2048. He also claimed the company adheres to environmental standards and contributes to reforestation efforts through government taxation. Aboubacar added, “Mining is a crucial revenue stream for Congo and it can’t place a higher value on the environment than on mining.”

However, environmentalists and local communities dispute these claims, citing significant ecological damage and social disruptions caused by the company’s activities.

The Path Forward

The situation in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve underscores the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental conservation. While mining generates revenue for Congo, it comes at a steep cost to its natural heritage and local communities.

Addressing these issues requires coordinated action from the Congolese government, international organizations, and civil society. Transparent enforcement of existing laws, restoration of the reserve’s original boundaries, and accountability for illegal mining operations are essential steps. Without these measures, the reserve’s rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of its residents remain at grave risk.