Industrial mining in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo

In the Mwenga region of South Kivu, the gradual establishment of large-scale mining companies (primarily Chinese since 2020) frequently occurs without genuine consultation with local populations. This research examines the detrimental consequences of this extractive transition, marked by severe environmental degradation, the dispossession of agricultural land, and the displacement of artisanal miners from their traditional sites. Using a meticulous qualitative methodology that includes 50 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups in Kitutu and Kamituga, the study highlights the variety of forms of citizen protest: sit-ins, petitions, and legal actions. The findings reveal an inherent duality within the state: While official institutions seek to justify these investments for development purposes, the tangible response to protests often manifests as violent repression or the involvement of public actors in illegal activities. This article addresses the contradictory effects of traceability systems (ITSCI), which, while seeking to promote transparency, can sometimes exacerbate the socioeconomic exclusion of local communities. The research concludes with the emergence of “land citizenship,” where natural resource management becomes a central focus of new political and social demands in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.