In the lush wilderness of eastern Congo, a Chinese-run gold mining operation is encroaching upon the UNESCO-protected Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
Located along the Ituri River, the mining site hums with activity, where cranes churn dirt and debris carpets the land. Once verdant, the forest is now marked by a sparse scattering of trees, evidence of an ecological upheaval.
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a World Heritage Site since 1996, is home to extraordinary biodiversity, including 15% of the world’s remaining okapi population. This unique forest giraffe is emblematic of the reserve’s critical role in preserving threatened species.
Originally spanning over 13,000 square kilometers, the reserve’s boundaries have been mysteriously redrawn over the years. These changes have allowed Kimia Mining Investment, a Chinese company, to extract gold within the protected forest despite laws prohibiting such activities.
Residents and conservationists allege that mining operations are polluting rivers, eroding soil, and triggering deforestation. The swelling population near the mines has exacerbated poaching, further endangering the fragile ecosystem.
“It’s shocking that mining is allowed in a UNESCO site already on the endangered list,” said Joe Eisen, director of Rainforest Foundation UK.
Kimia Mining maintains its operations are legal, citing permits renewed through 2048. However, the ICCN, Congo’s body for managing protected areas, insists the original boundaries should remain in force.
A government memo from August, seen by the Associated Press, indicates plans to close all mining operations in the reserve. Yet, no timeline has been provided, leaving environmentalists questioning the implementation of these measures.