Workers from the Anhui Congo Mining Investment Company in the Eastern Kasaï-Oriental province took to the streets in Mbuji-Mayi on Monday, March 3, 2025. Their goal? To express their frustration over the current crisis facing the company. These workers at SACIM are already owed 13 months’ worth of wages, and the company is grappling with diamond sales restrictions stemming from a 2022 decree limiting SACIM’s diamond sales to a single group with fixed prices, reducing prices from 12 to 8 dollars per carat.
The march kicked off at 8 a.m. local time at the company’s parking lot on Salongo Avenue, culminating at the provincial governor’s office. Here, a memorandum was presented, urging urgent action to save the mining company. SACIM workers also criticized what they deemed controversial decisions by the Center for Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification (CEEC), which lowered the selling price per carat of diamonds and mandated sales to buyers designated by the government. These measures, as stated by worker representative John Numbi, are jeopardizing the company’s economic viability and could lead to its closure.
Located in Miabi, in the Kasaï-Oriental province, the Anhui Mining Investment Company produces an average of 300,000 carats of diamonds and employs around 700 people. The workers’ representative, Michel Cyala, emphasized the dire situation faced by SACIM and the urgent need for intervention to prevent further financial distress.
Challenges Faced by SACIM Workers
The SACIM workers’ protest sheds light on the challenges faced by employees in the mining sector, particularly in regions where natural resources play a significant role in the economy. The delay in wage payments, coupled with restrictions on diamond sales, not only impacts the livelihoods of workers but also raises concerns about the sustainability of mining operations in the area.
John Numbi, representing the disgruntled workers, highlighted the toll these issues have taken on the company’s financial health, warning of potential closure if urgent measures are not taken. His poignant plea for assistance resonates with workers across various industries who may face similar struggles in the face of economic uncertainty and policy changes beyond their control.
Call for Government Intervention
As the SACIM workers’ protest gains traction, calls for government intervention to address the crisis facing the company grow louder. The memorandum presented to the provincial governor serves as a plea for immediate action to safeguard the livelihoods of hundreds of workers and prevent the collapse of a vital mining operation in the region.
Experts in the mining industry warn of the ripple effects that the closure of SACIM could have on the local economy, with job losses and reduced revenue potentially exacerbating the already precarious financial situation in the Eastern Kasaï-Oriental province. The urgency of the workers’ demands underscores the need for swift and decisive intervention from government authorities to avert a looming economic crisis.
The workers at SACIM, through their peaceful demonstration, have brought attention to the urgent need for support and intervention to address the challenges facing the mining industry in the region. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity serve as a poignant reminder of the human impact of economic crises and the importance of collective action in seeking solutions to safeguard livelihoods and promote sustainable development.