A Chinese-operated gold mine in Congo's Okapi Wildlife Reserve is sparking controversy for its operations in what should be a strictly protected World Heritage site. Originally, the reserve's boundaries included the area now being mined, but they have gradually shifted, allowing the Chinese company to legally secure permits until 2048. Critics, including Joe Eisen of Rainforest Foundation UK, argue that this mining activity poses a severe threat to the unique biodiversity in this protected area, and could lead to deforestation and increased poaching.
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve, established in 1996, is part of the larger Congo Basin rainforest, a crucial global carbon sink. However, the rapid expansion of mining operations threatens this ecological haven. Local inhabitants and former Kimia Mining employees report severe environmental impacts, including contaminated water and decimated forests. Affected communities, facing economic losses, are resorting to secret illegal mining amidst increased military control over the mines, which activists link to influential business and political interests.
Efforts to enforce conservation laws are hampered by confusing legalities concerning mining permits. An internal government memo suggests that companies in the Reserve will face closure, but timelines remain uncertain. UNESCO has requested a report by February to clarify the situation. Meanwhile, local residents call for the Chinese company to invest in sustainable business opportunities. As Dura Anyainde, a local resident, states, "If the situation persists, we'll live in misery. We won't have food to eat." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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