The 20th annual DRC Mining Week has entered day two in Lubumbashi and it is already drawing significant attention from top government officials. The event — running from June 11–13 at the Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel, with a VIP Ministerial session and farewell lunch on June 14 — is being hailed as the continent’s pre‑eminent mining and infrastructure forum, expected to host over 11,500 attendees from more than 50 countries.
Two key government ministers have seized the spotlight with high‑profile messages encouraging participation and highlighting the sector’s importance.
Firstly, H.E. Eng. Louis Watum, the Minister of Industry and Development of SMEs, will deliver an address at the expo. A longtime industry veteran with experience at Randgold’s Kibali and Ivanhoe’s Kamoa operations, Watum praised the milestone, stating: “Congratulations to DRC Mining Week for its 20th anniversary, which is a significant achievement… It reflects the vitality of the sector.” He emphasized that the event is a vital platform for small and medium businesses to provide employment, develop skills, and support broader economic growth.
Before entering government in 2024, Watum led the Chamber of Mines and spent over two decades in mining across Mali and the DRC. His remarks underscore the government’s intent to mobilize industry players around infrastructure, energy security, and local enterprise development, consistent with the official conference theme: “20 Years of Shaping Mining in the DRC: Investing in Infrastructure Development and Energy Security – Vision 2025–2030.”
Equally enthusiastic, H.E. Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, the Minister of Mines, issued a public call to the global mining community. In a video message, he said, “I have my ticket for DRC Mining Week, and I am really truly looking forward to experiencing the legendary atmosphere… I want to invite anyone who has not yet made plans to travel to Lubumbashi to come out and join the more than 11,500 mining professionals who will be there.”
Mulume will deliver closing remarks during the June 14 ministerial session — a VIP addition to accommodate high‑level engagement.
Event organizers from the VUKA Group have lauded the government’s sustained support. Samukelo Madlabane, Events Director – Mining, described Watum as “priceless at an event as ours,” and noted that the extended VIP‑day underlines the value of having senior officials like Watum and Mulume directly involved.
What’s on offer: Beyond government engagement, the expo features more than 280 exhibitors—including major players like Glencore, Barrick, CMOC, and Ivanhoe Mines—and side events ranging from an Energy Investment Forum to a Women in Mining leadership session.
With robust institutional backing from the Ministry of Mining and the Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC), and headline sponsorship from Standard Bank, this year’s Mining Week promises to spotlight strategic opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and industrial transformation across the Copperbelt.
As DRC positions itself as a leading player in critical minerals globally, the event offers a prime forum for aligning public‑private ambitions around sustainable growth and long‑term industry development. With high‑profile government messages and packed conference schedules, Mining Week 2025 sets the stage for shaping the next decade in Congolese mining.
