DRC Mining Week Returns this June With a Big Bash in Lubumbashi

It’s official, DRC Mining Week is back in Lubumbashi from 1–3 June, and to say that the industry is excited about its homecoming is an understatement.

This long-running, award-winning, and flagship expo and conference returns to the heart of the Copperbelt and the bustling mining hub of the DRC to celebrate the region’s unlimited resilience, successes, and opportunities.

The event boasts longstanding and loyal support from many sector leaders, including ERG Africa, FBN Bank, and Glencore, who are diamond sponsors, while Equity BCDC, Orange, and Standard Bank are platinum plus sponsors.

Other big names in the industry that have partnered with DRC Mining Week in June include Ivanhoe Mines, the Cobalt Institute, USAID, and Global Communities.

The largest expo and conference in the Copperbelt dedicated to the mining and industrial sector, DRC Mining Week will again gather some 600 mining executives from 80 mining houses and operators, 4000+ attendees, of which 70 percent will be international, more than 80 expert speakers, and the in- and outdoor exhibition will expect four country pavilions.

Anyone working in or for the mining and exploration sector, energy, professional equipment, machinery, transport and logistics, safety and security, construction, consulting, and insurance should be in Lubumbashi from 1–3 June.

18 years and still going strong!
“The DRC Mining Week team is ready to put the ‘bash’ back into Lubumbashi!” jokes event director Natalie Courtois, representative of the zest, energy, and fun the organizers have become known for over the last 17 years of the event’s existence.

“We cannot wait to open our doors again and welcome all our clients and partners back to the Karavia Hotel, and we know that everyone has really missed having the event live and onsite during the last two years,” says Courtois.

Despite maintaining an innovative digital series of virtual engagement for mining companies, investors, and industry suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and hosting many exciting debates with major players in the DRC mining sector, the event organizers, the Vuka Group (formerly Clarion Events) feel the time is right to return to Lubumbashi.

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“We are ready to have a live event again,” Courtois confirms, “all the safety protocols will be in place to ensure a valuable and safe experience for everyone to meet other delegates, attend presentations, workshops, networking functions and spend quality time on the expo floors.”

International and local who’s who
The who’s who in the sector who are part of DRC Mining Week’s conference programme include:

• Louis Watum, President, Chamber of Mines, DRC
• H.E. Jacques Kyabula Katwe Governor of Haut Katanga, DRC
• H.E. Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, Minister of Mines, DRC
• Amedeo Anniciello, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank, DRC
• Marie-Chantal Kaninda, Head of Corporate Affairs, Glencore, DRC
• Rene Monzambe, Executive and Regional Manager, Vodacom Congo, DRC
• Amanda Zaina Matenda, Mine Planning Services and Support Lead- EMEA, Hexagon Mining, South Africa

The programme will address topical issues and challenges in the sector, as well as give the mining houses, operators, and industry suppliers the opportunity to share project updates and success stories.

The South African Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition as well as the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy have already confirmed their return to DRC Mining Week with country pavilions.

The themes for the conference programme include:

Day 1: Power & Energy Pre-Event Forum (1 June 2022):

• The race for sustainable power supply: Progress reports from current and upcoming projects
• Off grid: Diversifying the energy mix and relooking at DRC operating models to maximise local production

Day 2: Opening day (2 June 2022):

• Collaboration to build a resilient and sustainable mining industry in the DRC
• Junior Mining Forum: Exploration and investment opportunities in DRC
• Battery metals: Is the DRC ready to harness the green transition?
• CEO Roundtable (by invitation only)
• Women in Mining: Paving the way for inclusivity in the sector
• Financing the sector: What are the options for local companies?
• From mines to market: Transforming raw materials into end products in Africa

Day 3 (3 June 2022):