The China in Africa Podcast

Why Residents Near a Massive Chinese-run Mine in the DR Congo Are Getting Sick

Apr 2, 2026
Luke Allen, Senior Africa Program Campaigner at the Environmental Investigation Agency who led a three-year probe into pollution around Tenke Fungurume Mine. He discusses air monitoring that found sulfur dioxide spikes, reported acute respiratory and reproductive harms in nearby communities, failures of corporate certifications to reveal harm, and the wider risks of local processing of critical minerals.
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INSIGHT

Massive 30K Plant Caused Dangerous SO2 Spikes

  • CMOC's 30K processing plant caused repeated spikes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) well above WHO 10-minute exposure limits near Manomapia.
  • Independent air monitoring found SO2 peaks two to four times the WHO limit lasting hours, with homes meters from the facility.
ANECDOTE

Residents Report Bleeding And Evacuation Near Plant

  • Residents in Manomapia reported vomiting and coughing up blood soon after the 30K plant started operating.
  • Thousands lived within a few hundred meters of the plant and many homes were later abandoned or evacuated due to health fears.
INSIGHT

Passive Monitoring Masks Short Toxic Peaks

  • Passive SO2 monitoring used by CMOC misses harmful short-term peaks; active monitoring captures those spikes.
  • Experts like Dr. Benoit Nemery say passive data is scientifically unsuitable because it smooths dangerous emission peaks.
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