First Mining Drc-Zambia 2023 First Mining Drc-Zambia July -August 2023 digital magazine | Page 24

FEATURE

FEATURE

Eurasian Resources Group in Africa ( ERG Africa ) signs Community Development Plan Agreement at its COMIDE asset in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC )

COMIDE commits to community initiatives that will deliver sustainable socio-economic benefits to its host communities over the next five years

On 9 August 2023 , ERG Africa ’ s COMIDE asset , committed to its Community Development Plan Agreement ( Cahier des Charges ), which outlines sustainable development initiatives benefitting 16 communities .

The signing ceremony , which was held on COMIDE ’ s site in the Lualaba Province , was attended by the Honorable Pierrot Mwimbi , Vice-President of the Lualaba Provincial Assembly ; His Excellency Mr Deodat Kapenda Wa Kapenda , Provincial Minister of the Interior ( representing His Excellency Mr Jacques Kaumba Mukumbi , Provincial Minister of Mines of the Lualaba Province ); Mr Jean-Paul Laku Memba , Administrator of Lubudi Territory ; Mr Polydor Lumuna , Representative of the Mwami Munongo Grand Chief of Bayeke Chiefdom ; Mr Symphorien Mwilu Mujinga , Administrator of Mutshatsha Territory ; Mr Ilunga Ngoie , Luilu Sector Chief ; members of the Local Community Development Committee , Community representatives , civil societies ; and other dignitaries .
In his address , Acting CEO , Mr Sergei Verbitckii , highlighted ERG Africa ’ s commitment to the sustainable development of its impacted communities , while respecting the natural environment in which it operates . “ Currently ERG Africa supports around 100 communities in the DRC . By investing in education , healthcare , infrastructure and projects that stimulate the local business environment , we aim to ensure that our host communities will prosper not only in the short term – but endure beyond our operations ,” he added .
The Cahier des Charge is the culmination of a year of participative dialogues and extensive consultations between the
DRC government ( through the Provincial Ministry of Mines ), community members , COMIDE ’ s community engagement team and external consultants . Together they identified and scoped the projects that will address the most pressing community challenges and stand to make a lasting impact . The projects captured in the finalised plan were collectively agreed upon to ensure transparency , align expectations and establish collective ownership amongst all stakeholders .
Speaking at the ceremony , Mr Deodat Kapenda Wa Kapenda remarked : “ Drawing up the specifications [ contained in the Cahier des Charges ] is a process that involves several stakeholders with sometimes diverging and contradictory agendas . But thanks to the commitment of COMIDE on the one hand , and its communities on the other , these stakeholders – assisted by the EMIS consultancy firm and with the support of civil societies – have been able to produce the work for which we are gathered here . Today ’ s signing illustrates the frank collaboration between COMIDE and its communities .”
The projects outlined in the plan build on previous development activities , the requirements of the 2018 Mining Code , and community priorities .
“ Our determination , as well as our commitment to contribute to sustainable development in the daily lives of our communities , is a response to the challenges of poverty , food insecurity and unemployment that prevail in rural areas . Our projects for this first fiveyear period will focus on agriculture , education , healthcare , access to clean drinking water , and the creation of job opportunities through vocational
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