Updates

Conflict Minerals: Pact's Assheton Stewart Carter recently published a letter to the editor in the Washington Post, discussing better alternatives to banning conflict minerals in the Congo where many depend on the mining industry to earn a living. Click here to get more in-depth knowledge of gold mining issues in DRC and what Pact is doing to help make a positive difference.

PROMINES: Pact's Yves Bawa recently spoke at the Conflict Minerals Forum about Pacts work designing the ASM portion of PROMINES. PROMINES is a World Bank technical assistance project working with the DRC government to restructure and improve the Congolese mining sector. PROMINES aims to strengthen the capacity of the state to manage its mineral resources responsibly and transparently, and to promote sustainable development based on mining. Learn more.

Pact at CSD-18: Assheton Carter, Pact’s Senior Vice President of Global Engagement, recently spoke at the 18th meeting of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-18), at an Intergovernmental Forum on Mining (IGF) Learning Centre. Carter offered high-level analysis of global, ASM-related activities over the last decade. Learn More.

What we do

The Democratic Republic of Congo contains many of the most important mineral resources in Africa, the second largest rainforest in the world which is a massive carbon sink, and the second largest river in the world in terms of flow, with the hydropower potential to contribute substantially to the energy needs of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Despite its abundance of resources, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world with a life expectancy of 45 years for men and 48 for women. And it is these natural resources that have stimulated and perpetuated an endless stream of illegal and abusive exploitation, culminating in the most deadly conflict since World War II which has directly and indirectly claimed the lives of over 4 million people.

Together with our local partners, Pact in DRC focuses on developing practical solutions to bring an end to conflict, promoting economic growth and sustainably managing the Congo’s vast natural resources. Focus is on three main resource sectors: minerals, forests, and agriculture.

Where we work

Currently, we are working with our local and international partners on projects in Katanga Province, as well as in the forest landscapes of Salonga National Park and the Okapi Faunal Reserve.

Please use the navigation bar on the right to learn more about the context in which we work, Pact Congo's history operating in the DRC, and specific projects we have or are implementing.

Pact in the DRC moves to Kinshasa

In January 2010, Pact will open its national representation office in Kinshasa. We will be located at 3642 Boulevard 30 Juin, Suite 230, Future Towers, Commune de Gombe.

Pact maintains two sub-offices in Katanga Province (Fungurume and Kolwezi), one sub-office in Mimia, Bandudu Province, and one sub-office in Mambasa, Orientale Province.

For further information please contact:

Kamel Maina
Country Director, Pact Congo
kmaina@pactworld.org

Aaron Ziulkowski
Technical Officer, Corporate Engagement
aziulkowski@pactworld.org

Stephanie Marienau
Program Officer, Washington D.C.
smarienau@pactworld.org