In the Congo, Mining Will Survive the Rebellion

It appears that the Democratic Republic of the Congo's robust mining industry will withstand the country's rebel-related violence and subsequent humanitarian crisis. In the southern Congolese province of Katanga, scores of civilians are fleeing from attacks by the Bakata Katanga rebel group, and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has added 100-120 Spanish troops to its forces in the province to respond to the crisis. While Katanga province is home to extensive mining activity — it produces half of the world's cobalt as well as large amounts of copper — the violence perpetrated by Bakata Katanga has not directly threatened mining operations. The political backers of the rebellion have no interest in damaging this industry, with which they cooperate on other levels.