Between Forests and Mines: How Artisanal Mining Shapes Livelihoods in Eastern DRC

Inhabitants in the biodiverse area of South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), live in an atmosphere of violence, poor governance, and lack of infrastructure to improve their economy. Meanwhile, soil fertility for farming has decreased, and artisanal mining has become a common livelihood activity. A new study by Ladewig et al. (2025) explores how artisanal mining has shaped rural population livelihoods. Although mining has become a critical—yet double-edged—component of local livelihoods around Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, it raises concerns about how it will affect environmental and development goals.

The researchers conducted a simple analytical framework of livelihood diversification and a total of 375 structured interviews in Kigogo, Butale, Mwenga, and Luhago.

Key Insights:

• Mining as a Lifeline: Amid deteriorating farming conditions, insecurity, and displacement, artisanal mining offers quick income with low entry barriers. It now supports over 30% of households in surveyed areas.

  
  

• Complement or Substitute?: Mining serves both as a complement to farming and, increasingly, a substitute. Households that mine occasionally tend to be more food secure, but those heavily reliant on mining often reduce farming activity. For instance, in Luhago, "mining was more a regular livelihood choice than an occasional activity" (see below).

  

  
  

• Environmental Trade-offs: Mining often occurs near or within protected areas like Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, raising concerns about deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the erosion of traditional forest-based livelihoods (e.g., hunting and gathering).

• Policy Gaps: Formalization efforts have largely failed to support miners, instead reinforcing elite control and limiting access to legal markets. Conservation policies, too, have often excluded local voices, exacerbating tensions.

Although mining contributes to household food security, the authors discuss that in its current form, artisanal mining is not a lasting solution, and it will contribute to the lack of food stability in the long run.

Why It Matters:

This research underscores the urgent need for integrated, locally grounded approaches that balance conservation goals with the socio-economic realities of forest-edge communities. Strengthening smallholder agriculture, improving land access, and fostering inclusive governance are essential to reduce overreliance on mining and protect both people and forests.

Citation: Ladewig, M., Cuni-Sanchez, A., Angelsen, A., Imani, G., Baderha, G. K., Bulonvu, F., & Kalume, J. (2025). Between a rock and a hard place: Livelihood diversification through artisanal mining in the Eastern DR Congo. Resources Policy, 106, 105613. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420725001552