More than 200,000 jobs have been lost in the Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by more than 40 firms processing minerals that had shut by last month, writes BBC-Online.
There are fears the job losses could reach 300,000 by the end of this month as there has been a collapse in mineral prices as a result of the global economic downturn.
Most of the closed mines is located in Katanga, which is the richest province in DR Congo and generates nearly half of the country’s revenue.
Provincial Minister of Mines Barthelemy Mumba Gama said that the situation could be saved if the central government agreed to relieve the tax burden in the mining sector, but for now there are no actions taken from the government.
