Eurasian Resources has appealed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'s government to reconsider a three-month ban imposed on its Boss Mining unit's copper and cobalt operations following accusations of environmental pollution.
Boss Mining's operations in Katanga province were stopped by the mines ministry after flooding in March resulted in environmental damage and loss of life.
However, ERG said that it was not responsible for the pollution, putting the blame on heavy rain, which overwhelmed high-lying third-party tailings dams, causing an overflow into Boss Mining's water storage facility and flooding Kakanda River downstream banks.
“We reject any third-party rumours about the pollution," ERG Africa was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"The incident occurred far away from the processing plant, which rules out any kind of pollution. The torrential downpours of 21 to 22 March were indeed unforeseen and led to the first incident of this nature and scale. Water analysis conducted following the disaster confirmed no pollution.
"Boss Mining is hoping that the minister will reconsider this suspension decision since there was no pollution and for all the rest there is a specific remedy."
DRC mines minister Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi said that they will not hesitate to punish mining companies polluting the environment.
He also alleged that ERG was operating with an expired environmental clearance certificate and warned that the three-month ban could be extended.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Boss Mining's operations in Katanga province were stopped by the mines ministry after flooding in March resulted in environmental damage and loss of life.
However, ERG said that it was not responsible for the pollution, putting the blame on heavy rain, which overwhelmed high-lying third-party tailings dams, causing an overflow into Boss Mining's water storage facility and flooding Kakanda River downstream banks.
“We reject any third-party rumours about the pollution," ERG Africa was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"The incident occurred far away from the processing plant, which rules out any kind of pollution. The torrential downpours of 21 to 22 March were indeed unforeseen and led to the first incident of this nature and scale. Water analysis conducted following the disaster confirmed no pollution.
"Boss Mining is hoping that the minister will reconsider this suspension decision since there was no pollution and for all the rest there is a specific remedy."
DRC mines minister Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi said that they will not hesitate to punish mining companies polluting the environment.
He also alleged that ERG was operating with an expired environmental clearance certificate and warned that the three-month ban could be extended.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
