Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) Inaugurates Single Desk and Customs Office, Marking a Major Milestone in the DRC Mining Sector

Kolwezi, DRC — On May 19, Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a JV partnership between Glencore, Gecamines and the Congolese State celebrated the official inauguration of its Single Desk and Customs Office, a transformative development designed to streamline and modernise administrative procedures for the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The event was attended by Honourable Members of the National Assembly and the Senate, representatives of the President’s Office, government officials, technical partners, and distinguished guests, underscoring the importance of initiatives that address administrative challenges and that support the establishment of a sustainable, transparent, and efficient mining industry in the DRC.

Glencore has been present in the DRC since 2007, having invested nearly US$10 billion in its DRC operations to date, and employing around 18,000 people—the vast majority of whom are local nationals—making it one of the country’s largest employers, taxpayers, and investors.

The new facilities represent the culmination of years of discussion and engagement among Glencore, the DRC government, and key institutions, including the Centre for Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification (CEEC) and the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA).  It also reflects the involvement of key institutions such as the Provincial Division of Mines, the Provincial Division of Foreign Trade, the Congolese Office of Control (OCC), the Congolese Maritime Line (LMC), the Agency for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Minerals Markets (ARECOMS), the General Commission for Atomic Energy (CGEA) and the Directorate of Non-Tax Revenues of Lualaba (DRNOFLU) all of whom played a vital role in making the Single Desk initiative possible.

Until recently, mining companies in the DRC faced administrative bottlenecks that posed real risks to productivity and growth. By centralising administrative procedures related to permits, licenses, and authorisations, the Single Desk and Customs Office will:

• Enhance traceability and certification of minerals through strict controls and anti-fraud measures.
• Maximise government revenue via secure payments and a single collection point.
• Significantly reduce processing times and improve logistical efficiency.

The launch of this initiative at KCC sets a new benchmark for cooperation between the private sector and public institutions, redefining what is possible in the DRC mining sector.

“This project perfectly illustrates what we can achieve when the private sector, public institutions, and technical partners work together with a shared vision. What we are launching today goes beyond KCC—it is a model that can inspire further initiatives across the Congolese extractive industry,” said Marie-Chantal Kaninda, Glencore DRC President and KCC Chairperson.

With this new infrastructure, KCC and Glencore reaffirm their ambition to set the benchmark for operational excellence and mining governance in the DRC, ushering in a new era of dynamic, forward-thinking collaboration and lasting value creation for generations to come.