CSOs 4 Tailings Justice

By Elisha Iragi, SEMAFOR

DR Congo authorities have suspended a major Chinese-owned copper and cobalt operation after a dam collapse spilled contaminated water into Lubumbashi, the country’s second-largest city. A containment dam belonging to Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM) spilled “several million cubic meters of electrolytes” on Nov. 4 that flooded hundreds of homes in three neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee the area. Environmentalists also warned of pollution to well water, which many homes use daily.

Northern Miner, November 7, 2025

A new report finds 33% of mines around the world operated by two dozen leading companies don’t fully meet industry standards for tailings management. Yet two-thirds of 836 facilities are in full compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, the London-based International Council on Mining and Metals says in  the report.

E.    Updates to cabinet 

1.    Jagersfontein Tailing Storage Facility Failure Investigation Report

1.1.    Cabinet was briefed about the findings of the technical investigation into the Jargesfontein Tailing Storage Facility failure which caused severe devastation to the town of Jagersfontein in the Free State. The Minister of Water and Sanitation Ms Pemmy Majodina will release the report to the public. 
1.2.    Cabinet is pleased that criminal proceedings have commenced with the accused having appeared in the Jagersfointein Magistrate’s court on 11 September 2025.

At the national inquiry into the policy framework around artisanal mining, the impact of. Artisanal mining on the human rights of surrounding communities and the scope and tactics employed in the operation Vala Umgodi. Dates: 1, 2 and 3 October 2025

Solidarity message of the priests who work with the Brumadinho community in Brazil

For the words of the young rapper in the first song, see below:

In Jagersfontein a town once in pain. A disaster struck, leaving scars that would remain forever. September 11, 2022, a day of fate. A dam burst and mudslidge sealed the community.