DRC: Civil society calls for suspension of mining activities in Upemba Park
Twenty-four civil society organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo have urged the president to suspend mining activities in Upemba National Park, citing severe environmental threats.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Environmental groups in the DRC are raising alarms over the presence of gold and coltan mining operations within and around Upemba National Park. They sent a letter to the Congolese president on October 8, 2026, requesting immediate intervention to protect the park's unique biodiversity and ecosystems from deforestation and pollution.
Imagine a special park in Congo where unique animals like zebras and giraffes live. Some groups are worried because people are digging for shiny gold and other minerals there, using big machines and chemicals. They've asked the country's leader to stop the digging because it's hurting the animals' homes and making the rivers dirty, which could make the animals disappear.
Analysis
Upemba National Park
Upemba National Park, located in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, is a vital ecological zone spanning the provinces of Lualaba, Haut-Katanga, and Haut-Lomami. This protected area is renowned for its rich biodiversity, hosting numerous endemic and endangered species. Among these are iconic animals such as the zebra, savanna elephant, and buffalo, alongside over 200 aquatic species.
The park is also one of the few places where giraffes can be found in their natural habitat. Its unique ecosystems, including rivers and forests, are crucial for the survival of these species and the overall ecological balance of the region. The long-term preservation of Upemba National Park is therefore essential for both national heritage and global biodiversity.
24 Organizations
A coalition of 24 civil society organizations, dedicated to environmental protection in the DRC, has been closely monitoring the situation in Upemba National Park for six months. Their observations reveal that exploration and exploitation activities for gold and coltan are actively taking place both inside and in the vicinity of the park. These operations involve heavy machinery and mining infrastructure, posing a direct threat to the natural environment.
Bantu Lukambo, a member of this coalition, voiced serious concerns about the potential consequences, including widespread deforestation and severe environmental pollution. He specifically highlighted the use of chemical products in mineral processing, which could contaminate rivers and lead to their desiccation. Such pollution would devastate the aquatic life and other endemic species dependent on these water sources, threatening the park's entire ecosystem.
Antonio Longangi
In response to the civil society's concerns, Antonio Longangi, the communication officer for Upemba National Park, acknowledged the threats but offered a different perspective. He affirmed that while the park faces multiple challenges, the mining activities primarily affect the peripheral zones rather than the core protected areas. This distinction suggests an attempt to downplay the immediate severity of the impact on the most sensitive parts of the park.
Longangi also stated that a comprehensive management and development plan is currently being implemented to address these various threats. This plan, according to the park's communication officer, aims to mitigate the negative impacts and reinforce protective measures. However, the civil society organizations remain steadfast in their demand for a complete suspension of all mining activities and a significant strengthening of the park's protection protocols to ensure its long-term viability.
Key points
- Twenty-four civil society organizations in the DRC have called for the suspension of mining activities in Upemba National Park.
- A letter was sent to the Congolese President on October 8, 2026, highlighting threats from gold and coltan mining.
- The organizations warn of deforestation, chemical pollution of rivers, and the loss of endemic species like zebras, elephants, and giraffes.
- Upemba National Park is located across Lualaba, Haut-Katanga, and Haut-Lomami provinces and hosts over 200 aquatic species.
- A park official, Antonio Longangi, stated that mining is mainly in peripheral zones and a management plan is in place to address threats.
If the Congolese President heeds the call from civil society, mining activities could be suspended, allowing Upemba National Park's ecosystems to recover and its unique biodiversity to thrive. This action could set a precedent for stronger environmental protection across the DRC and encourage more sustainable resource management practices.
Should mining activities continue unchecked in Upemba National Park, the ongoing deforestation and chemical pollution could lead to irreversible damage to the environment. This would result in the loss of endemic species, the drying up of vital water sources, and a significant degradation of one of Africa's important protected areas.
