The DRC’s Minister of Industry and the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, H.E. Eng. Louis Watum, is the latest high-level cabinet member to be confirmed as a speaker and VIP guest at the upcoming DRC Mining Week expo and conference in Lubumbashi from 11–13 June. Minister Watum, a well-known and highly respected pioneer of the mining industry, is expected to address the conference and meet with heads of mining houses and investors, and tour the expo floor to meet exhibitors and sponsors that will showcase worldclass technology and solutions for the sector.
“Congratulations to DRC Mining Week on its 20th anniversary, which is a significant achievement,” says Minister Watum, adding that “the event has gone from strength to strength, and it reflects the vitality of the sector.”
He continues: “It’s always a pleasure to visit DRC Mining Week and to see all the familiar faces; but there are always also many new faces, which is a very good sign, a sign of progress and growth. The mining industry is key to our economy, particularly in this region, and many small and medium-size businesses have the opportunity to provide employment, grow the sector as well as play a big role in the upskilling of men and women who have mining in their blood.”
Before joining the cabinet, Minister Watum enjoyed a distinguished career of more than 20 years in the mining industry in Mali and DRC, including at Randgold’s Kibali project and at Ivanhoe Mines as the MD of Kamoa Copper SA.
Earlier, the organisers of DRC Mining Week also announced that the DRC’s Prime Minister, H.E. Mrs Judith Suminwa Tuluka, and the country’s Minister of Mines, H.E. Mr. Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, will be in attendance during this longrunning event taking place next week.
20 years of shaping mining in the DRC
From its inception, DRC Mining Week has evolved into the largest mining and infrastructure platform in the DRC and the Copperbelt, bringing together over 11,500 attendees from 50+ countries. Under the theme “20 Years of Shaping Mining in the DRC: Investing in Infrastructure Development and Energy Security – Vision 2025–2030,” this landmark edition will highlight the progress made and the opportunities that lie ahead. With mining at the heart of the country’s industrialisation, the focus will be on investment, infrastructure development and energy security to drive long-term growth.
Longstanding support
“Welcoming H.E. Eng. Watum back to DRC Mining Week is like welcoming back family,” says Samukelo Madlabane, Events Director – Mining for the VUKA Group, who are the organisers of the event. He adds: “In addition, the minister’s industry experience is priceless at an event as ours. We look forward to his ministerial address. Our 20th anniversary would not have been possible without the government’s invaluable, longstanding support for this event, which has been fostering collaboration and development within the mining sector for over two decades now.”
Valuable exposure
More than 11,500 local and international mining professionals are expected at DRC Mining Week, promising valuable exposure and potential contacts for participating partners.
The event provides a broad spectrum of thought-provoking content and opportunities to meet existing and prospective partners and clients in the mining and extractive sectors, including:
– Energy Investment Forum;
– High-level conference sessions, with topics that include: the Mining Roadmap 2025–2030; expert think-tank; market dynamics and price volatility; and positioning DRC as a leading mining country.
– Countless meeting and networking occasions for 1300+ elite decision-makers, including mining executives and government officials;
– An expansive expo with 280+ sponsors and exhibitors showcasing the latest and trusted technologies and services for the industry, including 9 country pavilions;
– Ministerial Forum (invitation only);
– US Government Business Forum (invitation only);
– European Union Business Forum (invitation only);
– The Ambassador’s Forum and networking business lunch (invitation only)
– Executive Business Forum – CEOs (Strictly by invitation)
– Value Chain Investment Forum;
– Regional Development Forum;
– Women Mine & Leadership Forum—always a hot ticket and an event highlight;
– Glittering gala dinner (strictly for ticket holders);
– Kamoa Site Visit (sold out).
The packed programme brochure for the 2025 edition of DRC Mining Week is available on the event website.
Industry support
As has become customary for DRC Mining Week, this year too the event boasts broad industry backing and institutional support, including the official partners, the DRC Ministry of Mining and FEC (Federation of Enterprises of Congo). Its main sponsors include Standard Bank as lead sponsors. The diamond plus sponsors are Ecobank, Equity BCDC, Kamoa Copper S.A., Glencore, Kamoto Copper Company S.A. and MUMI. Other mining houses that will be in attendance this year include Barrick, CMOC, ERG Africa, Gecamines, Ivanhoe Mines and MMG.
About DRC Mining Week
DRC Mining Week is organised by The VUKA Group (formerly Clarion Events Africa), a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum, Nigeria Mining Week, Enlit Africa, Africa’s Green Economy Summit, Smarter Mobility Africa, ECOM Africa and CEM Africa.
Mining Review Africa, the leading monthly magazine and digital platform in the African mining industry, is the event’s premium media partner.
DRC Mining Week dates and venue:
– Expo and conference: 11–13 June 2025
– Farewell lunch on 14 June (Strictly by invitation)
– Location: The Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel, Lubumbashi, DRC
