Randgold to Engage with DRC on New Mining Code

2018-02-04 / @fscwire

Randgold to Engage with DRC on New Mining Code

Jersey, Channel Islands (FSCwire) - Randgold Resources says it is engaging at the highest level with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to head off the enactment of a new mining code which the company believes will severely limit the growth of the mining industry in the DRC as well as the country's own economic prospects. The new code was passed by both houses of parliament last week but still has to be signed by the president before it becomes law.

Chief executive Mark Bristow, in Cape Town for the Mining Indaba, said since the new code surfaced in draft form in 2014 the mining industry had made detailed and repeated representations to the Congolese Ministry of Mines about what it regarded as very serious flaws in its provisions.

"It is therefore very disappointing to see that none of our proposals and comments are reflected in the legislation, which is in fact more draconian in its final form than earlier drafts. Among other things, its attempts to scrap the 10-year stability clause enshrined in the 2002 code, which was the basis on which Randgold and other mining companies invested in the DRC. In fact, when Randgold and AngloGold Ashanti bought the project which became the Kibali mine, we sought and received a formal written declaration from the DRC government which entrenches our rights under the 2002 code and confirms that the law would be honoured in respect, not only of Kibali but also any permit renewals," he said.

ENQUIRIES:

Mark Bristow

Kibali chairman & Randgold CEO
+44 788 071 1386

Willem Jacobs

Randgold GM operations Central & East Africa
+243 820 678 040

Kathy du Plessis

Randgold investor & media relations
+44 20 7557 7738 / randgold@dpapr.com

Graham Shuttleworth

Randgold financial director
+44 779 771 1338

Cyrille Mutombo

Randgold country manager DRC

+243 990 104 774 / +243 815 842 990