At its last meeting, the Council of Ministers approved a major reform for the extractive sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The adoption of the draft decree amending the CEEC’s statutes marks a decisive turning point: the institution officially becomes the National Certification Authority for all mineral substances in the country.
The decision was made during the review of the texts submitted to the Council of Ministers.
The draft decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 011/28 of June 7, 2011, was adopted after debate and deliberation.
A Historic Institutional Transformation
Until now, the Center for Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification (CEEC) focused its responsibilities on precious and semi-precious mineral substances. That era is now over.
In accordance with the 2018 revision of the Mining Code, this reform expands the CEEC’s (Center for Expertise and Certification of Minerals) powers.
The institution is now responsible for certifying all minerals mined in the DRC. This development definitively eliminates ambiguities regarding the distinction between precious, semi-precious, and other strategic minerals.
Transparency, Traceability, and International Standards
As highlighted in the government report, this amendment introduces a comprehensive definition of “certification.” It now encompasses:
* Determining the nature and physical or chemical characteristics of minerals.
* Verifying the origin and legal and legitimate provenance of substances.
* Monitoring and traceability throughout the supply chain.
This initiative reflects a clear commitment to integrating governance mechanisms at the national, regional, and international levels. By updating the statutes of the CEEC, the Congolese government is ensuring that the country meets the increasingly stringent requirements of the global market for the responsible marketing of mineral resources.
Leadership Praised for Realizing the Presidential Vision
This progress, which represents a major consolidation of governance in the mining sector in the DRC, is also the result of hard work within the institution.
Well-deserved recognition is given to the CEEC’s leadership team, whose leadership has transformed this entity into a true benchmark. Those particularly commended for their efforts include:
* Mr. Dav Nkalemba Nkashama, Chairman of the Board;
* Mr. Freddy Muamba Kanyinku, Director General;
* Professor God’el Kinyoka Kabalumuna, Deputy Director General.
Thanks to their impetus, the CEEC is now fully equipped to realize the Head of State’s vision: to make the DRC’s mineral resources a lever for development that is transparent, traceable, and respected on the international stage.
Aimé Binda
