As African countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) see more investment from mining companies based in China, SRK Consulting senior consultant and geologist Frank Li is helping to pave their way.

Having joined SRK Consulting China’s Beijing office in 2010, Li is today a key player in an exciting formal collaboration between SRK practices in Congo, China and South Africa. The initiative focuses on China-based clients, bridging language and cultural gaps to apply the highest standards of engineering in achieving responsible mining practices.

“There is a saying in China that a thousand letters or emails are not as good as a face-to-face meeting,” said Li. “Our collaboration of SRK offices means we can communicate well with clients while giving them world-class service from local experts who understand mining in the DRC.”

With a career that has based him in Beijing, Guangzhou and Muscat, the capital of Oman, he has worked on projects as far afield as Peru, Madagascar, South Africa and Mongolia. He first visited the DRC in 2016, to supervise exploration and quality control. Today, he is based both in SRK’s office in Lubumbashi and his base in Beijing, travelling extensively between the two and also to South Africa.

“It has proved to be very important to have a Chinese face here in DRC on behalf of SRK, to be a link with our China-based clients,” he said. “It helps to facilitate communication and planning, and streamlines the work of our consultants and our clients.”

As a geologist, his work in the DRC for Chinese mining companies has been mainly focused on mineral resource reports aligned with the JORC code – the Australasian code for reporting exploration results, mineral resources and ore reserves. He works on feasibility studies and prepares Competent Person’s Reports (CPRs), and is also involved in environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs).

As a locally based and respected team of consulting engineers and scientists, the SRK Congo office has conducted pioneering work in helping clients on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) journey. This has included applying their experience in stakeholder engagement through knowledge of local languages, traditions and customs. SRK prioritises close working relationships with partners, communities and government – applying not only the letter but also the spirit of the law.

Li said his work with a number of the China-based mining companies active in the DRC confirmed that these companies have embraced the importance of ESG, and are working to incorporate this into their operations and plans.

“Almost all of these companies are planning or implementing ESG systems, and they are aware of the relevant international standards,” he said.  

Looking to the future, he said that SRK has a great deal more to offer to clients in the DRC, from baseline studies to supply chain reporting. “Previously we have been more involved with Joint Ore Reserves Committee type mineral resource reporting, competent persons’ reports and feasibility studies, but SRK can do more than that. Our aim is that when our clients need independent mining technical services, SRK is the first company that comes to mind.”

“This is really the value of SRK’s global footprint and diversity of disciplines,” said Li. “As mining and mineral regulations become more complex, it is important to integrate a range of expertise into studies and plans.”