Botswana mining consultants have completed a preliminary assessment of Minière de Bakwanga’s diamond concessions in Congo’s Kasai Oriental province, positioning the team to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program for the state-controlled operation.
The evaluation focused on MIBA’s existing infrastructure and geological potential within its mining perimeter near Mbuji-Mayi, Congo’s diamond capital. Joëlle Kabena, coordinator of the State Financial Project Management Unit for MIBA’s revival, characterized the assessment as yielding positive results that will inform technical recommendations for the operation’s restoration.
“The Botswana team came not as investors but to evaluate our ground conditions and establish a support program for MIBA’s successful revival,” Kabena said following an evaluation meeting. “This visit produced a positive assessment.” 
The consultants will compile additional data before departing Congo to develop what officials describe as a comprehensive mining plan spanning short-, medium- and long-term phases. The technical assistance represents part of broader efforts to revive MIBA, once among Africa’s premier diamond producers before operational and financial difficulties led to suspended operations.
Botswana’s involvement brings significant expertise to Congo’s rehabilitation efforts. The southern African nation has developed one of the world’s most successful diamond industries through its partnership with De Beers in the Debswana joint venture, generating substantial government revenues while maintaining operational excellence.
MIBA’s potential revival carries economic implications for Kasai Oriental province, where diamond mining historically provided employment for thousands of workers. The operation’s decline contributed to regional economic challenges and reduced formal sector employment opportunities.
The assessment follows Congo’s broader strategy to rehabilitate state mining assets while leveraging international technical expertise. Government officials have emphasized the importance of professional management and modern extraction techniques in restoring MIBA’s productivity.
Congo’s diamond sector faces competitive pressures from both large-scale industrial operations and extensive artisanal mining activities across the Kasai region. Successful rehabilitation of MIBA would require substantial capital investment alongside the technical improvements recommended by Botswana consultants.
The timeline for implementing recommendations remains undefined, with officials indicating that data collection and planning phases will precede any operational restoration efforts. The project’s success will depend on securing adequate financing while addressing regulatory and logistical challenges that contributed to MIBA’s previous difficulties.
