Having amassed an impressive attendance of over 16 500 attendees, including that of C-suite mining executives, government representatives and investors, this year’s DRC Mining Week has assured the sector that investing and mining in Africa are on a steady upward trajectory, says event organiser VUKA Group mining event director Samukelo Madlabane.

The event – which took place over June 11 to 13 under the theme ‘20 Years of Shaping Mining in the DRC: Investing in Infrastructure Development and Energy Security – Vision 2025–2030’ – offered a broad spectrum of content and opportunities to meet existing and prospective partners and clients in the mining and extractive sectors.

The theme aligned with national and regional priorities to accelerate industrialisation, improve infrastructure and secure sustainable energy solutions to support mining and broader economic activity across the Copperbelt and beyond.

It also resonated throughout the panels, site visits and networking sessions, and was illustrated by the commitment of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) leadership to positioning the country at the forefront of mining and industrial development on the continent, Madlabane adds.

DRC Mines Minister Kizito Mulume officially opened the DRC Mining Week by underscoring the DRC’s drive to regain industrial sovereignty through local transformation of the country’s natural resources.

This year’s event was also attended by DRC Prime Minister Judith Tuluka, Industry and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Louis Kabamba, Haut-Katanga province governor Jacques Katwe, as well as Ministers from India, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“We must transform, create jobs and build a robust industrial fabric for the benefit of the Congolese people,” stated Mulume.

He also reiterated that the DRC Mining Week served as a critical platform for building ethical and transparent governance within the mining sector and fostering equitable partnerships.

As the largest mining platform in Central Africa, DRC Mining Week played a pivotal role in driving sector growth and industrial development in the DRC and across neighbouring markets, Mulume said.

Most Impactful to Date

This year’s DRC Mining Week delivered one of its most impactful programmes to date, marked by thought leadership from the highest levels of government and sector champions, states Madlabane.

“We hosted our Energy Investment Forum, as well as a slew of high-level conference sessions with topics that include the Mining Roadmap 2025 – 2030, market dynamics and price volatility, and positioning DRC as a leading mining country.”

The event hosted “countless meeting and networking occasions” for over 1 200 delegates, he adds.

This year’s expansive expo was anchored by over 300 sponsors and exhibitors, showcasing the latest technologies and services for the industry, including nine country pavilions, and a site visit to major mining operation the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, located in the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC.

The key forums that were held this year were the Value Chain Investment Forum, the Regional Development Forum and the well-supported Women Mine and Leadership Forum.

The event also hosted forums and events that were by invitation only, including the Ministerial Forum, the US Government Forum and EU Business Forum.

“As is tradition, we drew the event to a close with our gala dinner, which is open only to ticket holders,” Madlabane adds.

Looking Ahead

Despite broader industry uncertainties, Madlabane says DRC Mining Week remains a stable and robust platform.

“In fact, attendance from international and local participants grew, compared to 11 500 from the previous year, reflecting confidence in the DRC’s mining potential and the event’s established credibility as a neutral business hub,” he says.

Next on the cards, the VUKA Group plans to continue conversations from DRC Mining Week at DRC–Africa Battery Metals Forum in Kolwezi, in the DRC, in September, which focuses on localisation, beneficiation and local industrialisation.

The VUKA Group will also be hosting Nigeria Mining Week in October.

Efforts are also under way to increase regional integration, enhance innovation showcases and grow partnerships with investors, government and industry stakeholders.

Madlabane says a major closing highlight was the official closing address by Tuluka, who underlined the strategic role the mining industry plays in shaping the DRC’s future.

“This twentieth edition of DRC Mining Week is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made,” she said.

In addition, Tuluka stressed the DRC Mining Week’s longevity and importance as an essential economic gathering place and hub for investors, public authorities, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and representatives of civil society to converge.

She also outlined her government’s commitment to improving the business climate, with a focus on trust, predictability and transparency, and highlighted the interdependence between mining development and the energy transition.

“There can be no sustainable industrial mining foundations without reliable access to energy, and mining development cannot take place on the sidelines of the energy transition. These two dimensions are inseparable and interdependent,” concluded Tuluka.