Chinese mining operations across Africa have come under intense scrutiny for corruption, regulatory violations and environmental damage in recent years. From mass protests in Congo to court convictions and community resistance elsewhere, mounting evidence points to the exploitative practices of Chinese mining firms, which have led to public revenue loss, haphazard extraction and damage to the environment and livelihoods in many African nations. It, however, led to protests and strict legal action against the Chinese actors by some African countries.
In 2025, thousands of people protested in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), against corruption, mismanagement, and environmental violations involving Chinese mining companies. Alleging that Chinese mining companies engaged in unfair practices and exploitation, they stated that gold was extracted without declaring profits and often without valid operating permits.
A state audit found that mining companies underreported USD 16.8 billion in revenue between 2018 and 2023, leading to huge losses to the government exchequer and depriving locals of their rightful dues. China has about 76 percent share in cobalt mining in the country as 35 Chinese mining firms are operating at 61 sites.