The Democratic Republic of Congo has granted Société Anhui Congo d’Investissements Miniers a three-month moratorium on mandatory state-controlled diamond sales, offering the Chinese-Congolese joint venture a lifeline as it struggles with 14 months of unpaid wages and mounting tax obligations.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration announced the temporary suspension of restrictive sales regulations Tuesday in Tshibwe, a mining hub in Kasai Oriental province. The decision eliminates requirements forcing SACIM to sell diamonds exclusively through government-supervised tenders operated by the Center for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification.
The mining company has accumulated significant wage arrears affecting hundreds of workers while facing substantial tax liabilities to Congolese revenue authorities. SACIM currently produces 300,000 carats every 45 days, substantially below its operational capacity due to equipment shortages and financial constraints. 
“We’re producing well below our real capabilities without additional machinery,” said a company executive who requested anonymity. “We owe millions of dollars in taxes and levies to financial agencies. Even with this sales freedom, we might only cover one month of the 14 months of wages owed.”
The regulatory framework imposed in February 2022 under former Mines Minister Antoinette Samba Kalambay required diamond producers to channel sales through centralized government auctions, limiting companies’ pricing flexibility and cash flow management. The restrictions reflected broader efforts by Kinshasa to capture greater value from mineral exports while maintaining oversight of the sector.
Congo’s decision carries strict performance conditions. SACIM must demonstrate measurable financial improvement and fulfill community development obligations, including healthcare infrastructure construction, agricultural access roads, and regular worker compensation. Government officials warned of unspecified measures if the company fails to meet these requirements.
The reprieve comes as global diamond markets face significant headwinds. Wholesale prices for cut diamonds declined approximately 20% in 2023, pressuring producers already grappling with operational challenges and regulatory constraints in Congo’s artisanal mining regions.
SACIM’s situation reflects broader tensions in Congo’s mining sector, where foreign operators navigate complex regulatory environments while managing relationships with local communities and central government authorities. The company had previously appealed directly to Tshisekedi’s office for regulatory relief.
Aristote Mutombo, the president’s representative for the Greater Kasai region, delivered the announcement to workers and local officials, characterizing the decision as conditional support for a strategically important operation. The three-month window will test whether regulatory flexibility can restore SACIM’s financial stability while maintaining government oversight of diamond revenues.
The outcome will influence broader debates over Congo’s approach to mining sector governance, particularly regarding the balance between state control and operational flexibility for foreign-invested projects in critical mineral sectors.
