Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

10 December 2021

Ruashi Mining is a mining joint venture between Metorex and Gécamines and has been operating a copper and cobalt mine in the outskirts of Lubumbashi since 2006. Gécamines, which is a 25% shareholder of Ruashi Mining, is the largest state-owned mining company of the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") and actively participates in the management of the company through its representatives at the managerial and board level. Metorex, which indirectly owns 75% of Ruashi Mining, is a South African mining company. Metorex and its subsidiaries were acquired by Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd in 2013.

Ruashi Mining has over 2,000 employees and subcontractors who live in the community and pays above average wages as is the norm for mining companies and is one of the largest employers in the region. The company also pays taxes in various forms to local, provincial, and national governments and greatly contributes to the development of the economy of the DRC by providing good, safe and high paying jobs.

Ruashi Mining complies with all laws and regulations of the DRC relevant to its business operation and strictly adheres to a code of values, business conduct and ethical behaviour, which prohibits corruption and respects the human rights of all stakeholders, including its employees and the community they live in. The company also strives to actively participate in the development of the local community and contributes to numerous local social and infrastructure projects as required by law and as part of our commitment to the community.

The allegations contained in a report published by ACIDH, AFREWATCH, PREMICONGO (the "Report") are a repeat of the same allegations made throughout the past years and nothing new appears in such report in what seems like a recycled report.

As with the previous reports, the issues raised in the Report have either been addressed by the courts, by the Provincial Assembly investigations and/or by the DRC Human Rights Commission and have consistently been determined to be false, groundless, without merit and/or seriously exaggerated.

Ruashi Mining is committed to sustainable development and is proud of its employees and the way its activities are carried out in the DRC. Rusahi Mining has been and will continue to be operating in compliance with local laws, regulations, environmental standards, its values and ethical norms as we strive every day to be better for all of our stakeholders, including those in our community.

Ruashi Mining