(Halifax Initiative, Ottawa, 10 September 2007) Export Development Canada (EDC), along with public lenders in the US and Europe, has signaled its interest in supporting the Tenke Fungurume copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite the fact that the contract for the project is currently under review by the Congolese government. By signaling their interest in the project before the review is complete, they appear to be prejudging the outcome of the process. EDC has responded noting that it is carefully reviewing the environmental impact assessment documents. In May, the government of the DRC announced its intention to revisit mining contracts signed over the past decade, during the war and under the transitional government in place until last year’s national elections. The Congolese review process responds to concerns raised in various audits, independent studies and a DRC parliamentary commission report, regarding the fairness and legality of the contracts.
Date
2 September 2007
