Mining fraud refers to any illegal activity aimed at extracting, diverting, concealing, transporting, buying or selling mineral substances in violation of applicable laws and regulations, in particular the Mining Code and Mining Regulations.

It is one of the most serious threats to the economic sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo, depriving the State of essential resources and fuelling organised criminal networks.

Under Article 4 of Decree No. 23/19 of 9 June 2023, mining fraud notably includes:

• Clandestine exploitation in unauthorised areas or outside legally allocated perimeters;
• Diversion of production by operators or third parties;
• Forgery of mining documents, including certificates, titles, declarations or transport documents;
• Manipulation of declared volumes, grades or values to artificially reduce tax and parafiscal obligations;
• Corruption or collusion involving public or private agents;
• Concealed or undeclared export of minerals to neighbouring countries;
• Illicit transmission of strategic mining sector information to third parties, electronically or physically;
• Voluntary undervaluation of the State's contributions in joint ventures or transfer pricing manipulation.

These practices, expressly covered by Decree No. 23/19, undermine transparency, traceability and good governance in the mining sector. They also weaken local communities that depend on the economic and social benefits generated by lawful exploitation of natural resources.

In accordance with Article 5 of Decree No. 23/19, the General Mine Inspection carries out regular operations involving:

• Inspection at mining sites, trading counters, processing entities and logistics corridors;
• Investigation to detect, document and establish offences;
• Securing mineral substances from the extraction site to the export point;
• Inter-agency coordination with DGDA, PNC, CENAREF, Interpol, CEEC and other specialised institutions.