Fallen copper prices affecting jobs in DRC mines

The Democratic Republic of Congo is reeling from the effects of the fall in copper prices.

Lubumbashi in particular has been hit hardest as several mines have downsized their workforce to adapt to the new prices.

“We have really been affected by the fall of metal prices. We have also reduced the staff which was at 250, now we are only 200,” said Dieudonne Kisimba Selemani, an administrator of the Congo Steel Mills company.

Since the slump of metal prices in 2015, the economy of the world’s fifth largest copper producer has been greatly affected including the lives of the mine workers.

“Before, I used to provide for my family with my wages. Today, I have to dig deep in my pockets to be able to feed my house. I will soon be bankrupt,” said one of the mine workers.

In April 2016, global copper prices were set at 4,873 dollars per tonne, a decline of about 20% compared to previous years.

#Commodities Watch: #Copper prices drop to 3-month low, dragging AngloAmerican and #Glencore shares 5% down pic.twitter.com/2wl4AGl8un

— Javier Blas (JavierBlas2) May 18, 2016

Copper production in DRC which is Africa’s largest copper producer lowered to 995,805 tonnes last year, but, there is still pressure on the government to generate more revenue from the sector.