Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1688
2006-11-01 15:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
MINING SECTOR UPDATE - DIAMONDS, URANIUM, COPPER
how-toVZCZCXRO6449 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1688 3051516 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011516Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5087 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001688
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ECON ETRD KGIT IAEA CG
SUBJECT: MINING SECTOR UPDATE - DIAMONDS, URANIUM, COPPER
REF: KINSHASA 1624
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001688
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ECON ETRD KGIT IAEA CG
SUBJECT: MINING SECTOR UPDATE - DIAMONDS, URANIUM, COPPER
REF: KINSHASA 1624
1. (U) Summary. The diamond sector has experienced more
mining accidents and a decrease in official export revenues
and production figures. The DRC's Atomic Energy Commission
has entered into an agreement with a foreign company to
develop uranium projects, while yet another copper mining
company is preparing to launch a public offering to raise
capital to develop joint-venture projects. End summary.
DIAMOND SECTOR
--------------
2. (U) Another cave-in occurred at a diamond mine in Western
Kasai October 22, according to Congolese media. Three persons
died, and two are missing. This is the fifth reported
cave-in at this mine in two weeks (reftel).
3. (U) Official diamond production and export by value
through August 2006 are lower than those for the same 2005
period, according to the statistics the CEEC (the DRC's
diamond and gold evaluating authority) released October 19.
Through August, the DRC officially exported about 16.4
million carats, an increase of about 20,000 carats over
exports through August 2005. However, the 2006 value to date
has declined by nearly 20 percent over last year. Total
official production has decreased by over 2 million carats
from 2005, due primarily to the drop in MIBA's (DRC's diamond
mining parastatal) production.
4. (U) The GDRC is participating in discussions in Angola the
week of October 30 regarding the newly-formed Diamond
Producers of Africa, a group formed to create a joint
strategy for advancing sector development. The New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and a Belgian
consulting firm are supporting this project.
POSSIBLE URANIUM PROJECTS
--------------
5. (U) Uranium exploration and development company Brinkley
Mining, a London AIM-listed company, has entered into an
agreement with CGEA (the DRC's atomic regulatory commission)
to develop as yet unspecified uranium projects in the DRC.
Brinkley Mining will hold an 80 percent share in the joint
venture's mining projects through its subsidiary, Brinkley
Africa.
COPPER
--------------
6. (U) Toronto Stock Exchange-listed Katanga Mining Limited
is planning to launch an equity offering, in part to raise
funds for its Kamoto copper/cobalt mine joint venture with
Gecamines (DRC's copper/cobalt mining parastatal). Katanga
Mining is the holding company for Kamoto Copper Company, and
is part of the George Forrest International group of
enterprises.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ECON ETRD KGIT IAEA CG
SUBJECT: MINING SECTOR UPDATE - DIAMONDS, URANIUM, COPPER
REF: KINSHASA 1624
1. (U) Summary. The diamond sector has experienced more
mining accidents and a decrease in official export revenues
and production figures. The DRC's Atomic Energy Commission
has entered into an agreement with a foreign company to
develop uranium projects, while yet another copper mining
company is preparing to launch a public offering to raise
capital to develop joint-venture projects. End summary.
DIAMOND SECTOR
--------------
2. (U) Another cave-in occurred at a diamond mine in Western
Kasai October 22, according to Congolese media. Three persons
died, and two are missing. This is the fifth reported
cave-in at this mine in two weeks (reftel).
3. (U) Official diamond production and export by value
through August 2006 are lower than those for the same 2005
period, according to the statistics the CEEC (the DRC's
diamond and gold evaluating authority) released October 19.
Through August, the DRC officially exported about 16.4
million carats, an increase of about 20,000 carats over
exports through August 2005. However, the 2006 value to date
has declined by nearly 20 percent over last year. Total
official production has decreased by over 2 million carats
from 2005, due primarily to the drop in MIBA's (DRC's diamond
mining parastatal) production.
4. (U) The GDRC is participating in discussions in Angola the
week of October 30 regarding the newly-formed Diamond
Producers of Africa, a group formed to create a joint
strategy for advancing sector development. The New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and a Belgian
consulting firm are supporting this project.
POSSIBLE URANIUM PROJECTS
--------------
5. (U) Uranium exploration and development company Brinkley
Mining, a London AIM-listed company, has entered into an
agreement with CGEA (the DRC's atomic regulatory commission)
to develop as yet unspecified uranium projects in the DRC.
Brinkley Mining will hold an 80 percent share in the joint
venture's mining projects through its subsidiary, Brinkley
Africa.
COPPER
--------------
6. (U) Toronto Stock Exchange-listed Katanga Mining Limited
is planning to launch an equity offering, in part to raise
funds for its Kamoto copper/cobalt mine joint venture with
Gecamines (DRC's copper/cobalt mining parastatal). Katanga
Mining is the holding company for Kamoto Copper Company, and
is part of the George Forrest International group of
enterprises.
MEECE