June 10, 2026, 16:37 — China Nonferrous Metals Magazine published an article by Wang Jianguo and Zhao Jiuchun.

“The red soil here remembers everyone who treats it with care.”

In Lualaba Province, located in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), vast stretches of red soil define the region’s distinctive landscape. At the tailings dam rehabilitation area of Sicomines SA, a Chinese-invested mining company operating in the country, Congolese employee Kasonde bent down to inspect the growth of African Bermuda grass, a native species used for ecological restoration. As his fingers brushed against the tender green shoots, he spoke these heartfelt words.

As an important component of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China–Africa resource collaboration has long faced a fundamental challenge: how to reconcile resource development with environmental protection and achieve harmonious coexistence between the two. This is not only a practical challenge confronting overseas mining enterprises, but also a core issue affecting the sustainable development of many developing countries.

Rooted in the red soil of the DRC, Sicomines SA has abandoned the traditional extensive mining model of “development first, remediation later.” Instead, it has integrated the principles of green development and ecological well-being into every stage of its operations. Through its long-term commitment to overseas development and its dedication to mutually beneficial cooperation, the company is writing a “Chinese answer” to sustainable mining development in Africa while exploring a replicable and scalable path for the green transformation of the mining industry across the Global South and for building a China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Green Governance Brings New Life to the Red-Earth Mining Region

June falls within the dry season in Lualaba Province. Under the blazing sun, dust swirls across the red earth, creating a harsh and arid environment. Yet upon entering the Sicomines SA camp, visitors are greeted by thriving native trees, blooming bougainvillea, and flourishing banana plants whose broad leaves sway in the breeze. Carefully designed landscaping blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Unlike traditional mining operations that rely heavily on diesel-powered generators, the mine is powered by clean hydropower, fundamentally changing perceptions of energy-intensive mining operations in Africa.

This stable and reliable source of green energy comes from the Busanga Hydropower Station in the DRC, a flagship livelihood project developed through China–DRC cooperation to support Sicomines SA. With an installed capacity of 240 megawatts and average annual power generation of 1.32 billion kilowatt-hours, the facility produces roughly one-tenth of the DRC’s total electricity output. The clean hydropower generated by the station supplies the company’s entire industrial chain—from mining and mineral processing to smelting—enabling efficient, low-carbon operations. In addition, electricity from the hydropower station has been successfully integrated into the southern national power grid of the DRC, helping alleviate local power shortages and providing strong green momentum for regional economic and social development.

The region’s limited rainfall and chronic water scarcity have long constrained industrial development and local livelihoods. Taking local environmental conditions into account, Sicomines SA has established a comprehensive and highly refined water recycling system covering every stage of production, while maintaining strict safeguards for water-resource protection. Zeng Pei, Director of the Concentrator Plant, explained: “Every drop of water in our facility is carefully managed and reused, allowing us to achieve both water conservation and operational efficiency.” Supported by a mature water-treatment and recycling system, the company has achieved zero discharge of wastewater from mineral processing and smelting operations, while maintaining a water reuse rate of more than 90 percent. Even during the dry season, on-site reservoirs ensure a sufficient water supply, creating a win-win outcome for industrial development and environmental protection.

To address challenges such as soil erosion and sparse vegetation in the mining area, Sicomines SA has carried out systematic ecological restoration initiatives. The company selected African Bermuda grass, a native species known for its extensive root system, strong soil stabilization capability, and adaptability to local conditions, as the primary vegetation for tailings dam rehabilitation. After years of continuous cultivation and maintenance, vegetation coverage across the mining area has exceeded 70 percent. Once-barren tailings fields have been transformed into thriving ecological green spaces.

Green Growth Fosters Enduring Friendship Across Continents

The flourishing greenery is not only a tangible achievement of ecological restoration but also a symbol of the deep friendship forged between China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kasonde has long been responsible for inspecting rehabilitated slopes around the tailings storage facility, monitoring vegetation growth, recording soil moisture levels, and identifying potential environmental risks. This professional ecological management process has witnessed his remarkable transformation over the past six years.

When he first joined the company, Kasonde was an ordinary frontline miner with little understanding of environmental protection or sustainable development. As the company continued to advance its green development initiatives, he gained new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Through regular environmental awareness programs and technical training sessions organized by the company, Kasonde systematically acquired expertise in water quality testing, air monitoring, vegetation maintenance, and environmental risk assessment. Step by step, he evolved from a mine worker into an “environmental guardian” dedicated to protecting his homeland. During every rainy season, he works alongside his Chinese colleagues to prepare soil, cultivate seedlings, and transplant vegetation, bringing new life to once-barren slopes. “I never understood what green development meant before. Now I realize how meaningful and important this work truly is,” Kasonde said. The daily ecological improvements taking place across the mining area have also enabled local communities to directly experience Sicomines SA’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

The development of a single employee reflects the broader progress of the local workforce and community. Since establishing operations in Africa, Sicomines SA has adhered to a localization strategy, with Congolese employees accounting for 85 percent of its workforce. The company has organized more than 100 training programs covering environmental protection, technical skills, and workplace safety, benefiting over 3,000 local employees and community members. In addition, outstanding local employees have been selected to receive further training and professional development opportunities in China, helping advanced green development concepts and ecological management technologies take root across Africa.

Languages may be separated by borders, but goodwill transcends distance. Though silent, the thriving vegetation bears witness to a lasting friendship. As African Bermuda grass spreads and flourishes across the red soil, it symbolizes the sincere partnership between Chinese and Congolese builders working side by side toward a shared goal. This enduring friendship continues to strengthen the bond that unites both peoples in protecting their common ecological future.

Institutional Governance Ensures Long-Term Sustainable Development

“Short-term ecological improvement depends on investment, while long-term green development relies on strong institutional safeguards.” This principle reflects the core sustainability experience Sicomines SA has accumulated through years of operating in Africa. For overseas mining enterprises, ecological restoration itself is not the greatest challenge. The real test lies in overcoming the industry’s tendency to prioritize construction over long-term management and maintenance, while institutionalizing resource development, environmental protection, and community welfare to ensure sustainable growth.

In accordance with local regulations in the DRC and international ESG management standards, Sicomines SA has established a comprehensive environmental governance framework covering prevention, operational control, and post-operation supervision throughout the entire production cycle. The company has also successfully obtained ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. All operational processes and environmental management practices are conducted in strict compliance with local requirements, with relevant documentation duly filed with regulatory authorities. Through standardized and transparent management, the company has built a solid foundation for sustainable development. In addition, Sicomines SA continuously strengthens its ESG governance framework and regularly discloses information related to environmental performance, social responsibility, and corporate governance, demonstrating the accountability and commitment of Chinese enterprises operating overseas.

This operating model, which aligns with Africa’s development needs while balancing industrial growth and environmental protection, has received widespread recognition. In March 2025, Étienne Ushudi Lutula, Director General of the DRC’s tax authority, visited Sicomines SA and highly commended the company’s contribution to local economic development after inspecting its achievements in green mine construction. Local governments, communities, and numerous international consulting organizations have agreed that the company’s practices have established a benchmark for sustainable development and transparent operations in the DRC and across Africa’s mining sector. They also provide a valuable model for resource-rich regions seeking to balance economic development with environmental conservation.

Li Sheng, Chairman of Sicomines SA, stated: “Resource development is intended to empower economic growth, while environmental protection is essential for securing a sustainable future. Our goal is to leave behind clear waters, green mountains, and a solid foundation for long-term development.” Leveraging its distinctive development model that combines advanced mining, mineral processing, and smelting technologies with clean hydropower, Sicomines SA has become a benchmark mining operation in the DRC, characterized by a high degree of automation, environmentally friendly production processes, and an attractive living and working environment. Following multiple site visits, Lualaba Province Governor Fifi Masuka Saini remarked: “Sicomines SA has consistently upheld environmentally responsible production and construction principles, protected the natural environment, and developed a truly green mine. It is one of the finest enterprises in Lualaba Province.”

From utilizing clean hydropower to drive low-carbon production, to transforming barren red-soil landscapes through native vegetation; from Chinese and Congolese employees working together to protect the environment, to building robust institutional frameworks that support long-term sustainability, Sicomines SA’s experience provides a compelling answer to one of the defining questions facing resource-rich regions worldwide: how to balance resource development with environmental protection while achieving shared prosperity for both foreign investors and local communities.

Mining projects may have finite lifecycles, but environmental stewardship is a lasting commitment. Across Africa’s vast red-soil landscapes, expanding greenery reflects the environmental responsibility of Chinese enterprises operating overseas. It tells a vivid story of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and offers replicable Chinese experiences that can support sustainable development throughout the Global South. More importantly, it opens broad new prospects for jointly building a China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era.