The initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen governance across the mining sector. Once operational, the 20,000-strong security contingent will be responsible for protecting major industrial mining operations, regulating artisanal mining activities, and tightening the oversight of mineral exports.

Government representatives have yet to disclose the identity of the private firm contracted to lead the training program for this new paramilitary unit.

Training sessions are scheduled to commence in September 2026, with the first battalion expected to be deployed in the Katanga region by January 2027.

While national military and police forces have historically provided security around mining facilities, certain provinces — particularly Lualaba — have also relied on private security contractors. These local agents are typically recruited and trained on-site by registered private security companies operating under the supervision of national security services.

Henri Kasongo Mutata, coordinator of the Diocesan Commission on Natural Resources and Environment in Lualaba, highlighted this practice:

“Security at mining sites in Lualaba currently relies on a combination of mine police and private security firms. Mining operators frequently engage private guards to secure their installations.”

Transforming conflict zones into safe mining zones

The Democratic Republic of Congo holds vast reserves of copper, cobalt, tin, coltan, gold, lithium, and zinc. Despite agreements permitting international firms — including American companies — to operate in designated sites, ongoing conflicts in the eastern provinces continue to restrict access to many locations. The Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world’s largest, remains under the control of the AFC-M23 rebel group, underscoring the security challenges facing the sector.

Crispine Ngena, an ecofeminist activist focused on women’s participation in natural resource governance, voiced concerns about the militarization of mining zones:

“The fundamental challenge lies in the militarization of these sites. Without proper oversight, adherence to human rights and regulatory standards becomes nearly impossible. How can the Congolese state ensure that mines become less criminogenic? How can foreign firms comply with labor and environmental norms, particularly regarding the rights of Indigenous peoples and women in these already lawless areas?”

Elsewhere in the country, private security teams linked to Erik Prince — founder of the former Blackwater corporation — have been deployed around Kolwesi and Kisangani in Lualaba and Tshopo provinces. Their stated objectives include securing mining installations, enhancing tax collection, and combating smuggling.