Johannesburg, June 12, 2026 (People’s Daily Online, Reporter Zou Song) — 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 locally, Congolese employee Kasonde bent down to inspect the growth of African Bermuda grass, a native species used in ecological restoration. Gently touching the vibrant green shoots, he remarked, “The red soil here remembers everyone who treats it with care.”
As an important component of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China-Africa resource collaboration has long faced the challenge of balancing resource development with environmental protection. Reconciling these two objectives and achieving harmonious coexistence is not only a critical task for overseas mining enterprises but also a key issue affecting sustainable development across many developing countries.
Green Governance Brings New Vitality
June marks the dry season in Lualaba Province. Under the scorching sun, dust sweeps across the red earth, creating a harsh and arid environment. Yet inside the residential compound of Sicomines SA, indigenous trees flourish, bougainvillea blossoms in abundance, and banana trees spread their leaves, blending man-made landscaping seamlessly with the natural environment. Unlike traditional mining operations, the site has phased out heavily polluting diesel generators and instead relies on clean hydropower to supply green energy throughout its production processes.
This reliable source of green energy comes from the Busanga Hydropower Station, a flagship China-DRC cooperation project developed in support of Sicomines SA. With an installed capacity of 240 megawatts and an average annual power generation of 1.32 billion kilowatt-hours, the facility contributes approximately one-tenth of the DRC’s total electricity output. The clean hydropower generated not only powers the company’s entire mining, processing, and smelting value chain, enabling low-carbon operations, but has also been integrated into the national power grid in southern DRC, helping alleviate local electricity shortages and supporting regional economic and social development.
Limited rainfall and chronic water scarcity have long constrained industrial development and daily life in the DRC. In response to local climatic conditions, Sicomines SA has established a comprehensive and highly efficient water recycling system throughout its operations, ensuring strict protection of water resources. “Every drop of water within the facility is carefully managed and reused, allowing us to conserve resources while improving efficiency,” said Zeng Pei, Director of the Concentrator Plant. Supported by an advanced water recycling system, the company achieves zero discharge of wastewater from mineral processing and smelting operations, while maintaining a water reuse rate of over 90 percent. Even during the dry season, onsite reservoirs ensure a stable water supply, creating a win-win outcome for industrial growth and environmental conservation.
To address soil erosion and sparse vegetation in mining areas, Sicomines SA has implemented systematic ecological restoration programs. The company prioritized the use of African Bermuda grass, a native species with extensive root systems and strong soil stabilization capabilities, for tailings dam rehabilitation. After several years of continuous maintenance, vegetation coverage across the mining area has surpassed 70 percent, transforming once-barren tailings fields into thriving green landscapes.
Green Growth Fosters Enduring Friendship
The flourishing greenery represents not only the success of environmental restoration but also the deep friendship forged between China and the DRC. Kasonde has spent years patrolling the rehabilitation zone, monitoring vegetation growth, measuring soil moisture levels, and identifying environmental risks. Over six years, he transformed from an ordinary miner into a skilled environmental steward.
When he first joined the company, Kasonde had little understanding of environmental protection or sustainable development. As the company’s green initiatives expanded, new opportunities emerged for his professional growth. Through regular environmental education programs and technical training sessions, he acquired expertise in water quality testing, air monitoring, vegetation cultivation, and environmental risk assessment. During every rainy season, he works alongside his Chinese colleagues to prepare soil, cultivate seedlings, and transplant vegetation onto barren slopes. “I did not understand the significance of green development before, but now I truly appreciate the value of this work,” he said.
The growth of one employee reflects broader community advancement. Since establishing operations in Africa, Sicomines SA has pursued a localization strategy, with Congolese employees accounting for 85 percent of its workforce. The company has organized more than 100 training sessions covering environmental protection, technical skills, and workplace safety, benefiting over 3,000 local employees and community members. Outstanding local staff members have also been sent to China for advanced training, helping introduce modern sustainable development concepts and ecological management technologies to Africa.
Languages may be separated by borders, but goodwill knows no distance. Though silent, the growing vegetation bears witness to enduring friendship. As African Bermuda grass spreads across the red soil, it symbolizes the sincere partnership between Chinese and Congolese builders working side by side to protect their shared ecological future.
Institutional Mechanisms Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
“Short-term environmental improvement depends on investment, while long-term green development relies on strong institutions.” This principle reflects Sicomines SA’s years of experience pursuing sustainable development in Africa. For overseas mining operations, ecological restoration itself is not the greatest challenge; rather, the key lies in overcoming the industry’s tendency to prioritize construction over long-term maintenance and in institutionalizing resource development, environmental protection, and community development.
In accordance with local regulations in the DRC and international ESG standards, Sicomines SA has established a comprehensive environmental governance framework covering prevention, operational management, and post-project oversight. The company has successfully obtained ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. All production and environmental management activities are conducted in strict compliance with local requirements, with relevant documentation filed with regulatory authorities to ensure transparency and standardized management. Meanwhile, the company continues to strengthen 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 stewardship, has received widespread recognition. In March 2025, Étienne Ushudi Lutula, Director General of the DRC’s General Directorate of Taxes and Duties, visited Sicomines SA and highly praised the company’s contribution to local economic development after reviewing its green mining achievements. Local governments, communities, and international consulting organizations have widely acknowledged that the company’s practices have established a benchmark for sustainable development and transparent operations in the DRC and across Africa’s mining sector, while offering a practical pathway for balancing resource extraction with environmental protection.
Li Sheng, Chairman of Sicomines SA, stated: “We develop mineral resources to support regional development, and we protect the environment to secure a sustainable future. Our goal is to leave behind clear waters, green mountains, and a solid foundation for long-term prosperity.” Through its distinctive development model combining advanced mining and metallurgical technologies with clean hydropower, Sicomines SA has become one of the DRC’s leading benchmark mines, characterized by high levels of automation, environmentally friendly production processes, and an attractive working environment. Following multiple site visits, Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka Saini commented: “Sicomines SA has consistently upheld environmental protection principles and worked diligently to build a green mine, making it one of Lualaba Province’s most outstanding enterprises.”
Mining activities may have finite lifecycles, but environmental stewardship is an ongoing commitment. Across Africa’s vast red landscapes, expanding greenery reflects the environmental responsibility of Chinese enterprises operating abroad. It also illustrates the achievements of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and offers replicable Chinese experiences that can support the joint construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
