Following the Institutional University Cooperation Program funded by the VLIR UOS, the Center of Expertise in Management of the Mining Sector (CEGEMI) of the Catholic University of Bukavu is organizing a conference for participants from different social groups including researchers, professors, health workers, mine diggers and others. This two-day conference, on Monday December 16 and Tuesday December 17, 2019, is held in the conference room of the National Institute of Professional Preparation (INPP) not far from the Panorama hotel in Ibanda commune under the theme: “Mines, Environment and Health: Research and Prospects“.

During the first day, some speakers including Prof. Dr. Benoit NEMERY, Doctor Patrick De Marie KATOTO and PhD student Bossissi NKUBA presented their research carried out in different mining areas of the province of South Kivu and in some other provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The presentation of Doctor Patrick De Marie KATOTO, under the promotion of Prof. Dr. Benoit NEMERY, focused on: “Respiratory Illnesses among Artisanal Miners of Coltan and Gold in South Kivu“. During his presentation, the doctor explained that artisanal miners are exposed to several respiratory diseases due to frequent contact with the dust emitted during the extraction and processing of minerals, insufficient oxygen in the mines and their poor living conditions. He showed that the most common disease among these operators is mainly Tuberculosis.

Doctoral student Bossissi NKUBA explained: “The mercury of artisanal gold in the waters, fish and people of Kamituga”. Since mercury is an important element in the processing of gold, it also presents danger to human and his environment. Artisanal miners use mercury to clean up gold after extraction, and contact with this mercury has an impact on their health and life. The molecules which pile up in the nails, those which pour into rivers, fishponds and the water wells and dust emitted during the artisanal processing of minerals produce harmful effects on certain maritime species and on the population which consumes them.

The speakers concluded by proposing certain preventive measures such as the use of mercury away from children and pregnant women, the processing and conservation of minerals in well-equipped settings.