Société Miniere De Deziwa SAS (Somidez), a joint venture established in 2017 between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) state-owned mining enterprise Gécamines, has stood out as a model of China-DRC cooperation.

Since its inception, Somidez has remained committed to its social responsibilities and earnestly put into action its development philosophy featuring innovation-driven, green, and shared development, achieving extraordinary industrial strength with an annual output capacity of 80,000 tonnes of cathode copper, while carrying forward the traditional China-Africa friendship through low-profile yet impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Photo shows a school funded and built by Société Miniere De Deziwa SAS (Somidez) in Lualaba Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Somidez is a joint venture between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC) and DRC's state-owned mining enterprise Gécamines. (Photo/Wang Keli)

A Green mine: Safeguarding blue sky and clear waters along Congo River

The mining area of the Deziwa Copper-Cobalt Mine in the DRC, operated by Somidez, offers a stark contrast to the stereotypical image of a mine. The garden-style plant is lush with greenery, and its modern production lines operate efficiently.

The company has successfully passed the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) certification for quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety, aligning its whole-process operations with international standards.

Photo shows an aerial view of the smelting plant of Société Miniere De Deziwa SAS (Somidez), a joint venture between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) state-owned mining enterprise Gécamines. (Photo/Wang Keli)

Behind this "green report card" lies long-term, consistent investment. With total project investment exceeding $870 million, Somidez has adopted advanced hydrometallurgical technologies, achieving zero discharge of wastewater and waste gas and obtaining an "AA" grade rating for responsible management of its copper-cobalt supply chain.

From environmental protection to sustainable operations, Somidez has demonstrated with actions how resource development and ecological conservation can go hand in hand.

Empowering employees: Fostering growth through training in skills and Chinese language

In October 2024, Somidez hosted its first forklift skills competition, where 32 Congolese participants showcased their mastery of speed and precision.

During the competition, forklift operators maneuvered through S-curves with water containers so steady that not a ripple stirred, and stacked copper materials swiftly and accurately.

Such activities have become regular at Somidez, ranging from laboratory analyst and fire safety personnel skills competition to star employee selections—cultivating an ecosystem that encourages dedication, passion, and excellence in every profession.

Congolese employees of Société Miniere De Deziwa SAS (Somidez), a joint venture between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) state-owned mining enterprise Gécamines, pose for a photo during their tour of China. (Photo/Wang Keli)

Fully recognizing the importance of language as a bridge for cultural integration, Somidez has established a Chinese language workshop to help its local staff learn Chinese.

Since it was officially authorized by China's Ministry of Education in 2022, the workshop, named Somidez Chinese Language Workshop, has helped an increasing number of African employees pass the Level 1 certification of the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), or the Chinese Proficiency Test.

Six outstanding Congolese staff members were selected to tour China, where they experienced China's splendid bronze culture and the tremendous momentum of the Chinese path to modernization.

Somidez also launched a "President's Open Day" initiative, where the company's president meets directly with local staff. This open-door mechanism encourages employees to voice their concerns and suggestions freely, allowing potential workplace issues to be addressed early and creating a solid foundation for harmonious labor relations.

Cultural coexistence: Chinese culture flourishes in Africa

On the Chinese Lunar New Year's eve in 2024, Chinese and Congolese staff of Somidez took the stage together during a gala themed "mutual appreciation and inspiration" to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, at Somidez's employee activity center.

With festive decorations, including red lanterns and Spring Festival couplets, blending harmoniously with African drumbeats, the gala was shared online with a global audience via cloud platforms, filling the air along the banks of the Congo River with a festive atmosphere of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

A Congolese employee displays his Chinese calligraphy work with "Beijing, China" written on it during a Chinese calligraphy-themed gathering held by Société Miniere De Deziwa SAS (Somidez), a joint venture between China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNMC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) state-owned mining enterprise Gécamines. (Photo/Wang Keli)

During the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, African youth from the calligraphy class at the Somidez Chinese Language Workshop dipped their writing brushes in ink, writing Chinese characters and lines from Chinese poems to learn and understand the tradition of family reunion in the Chinese culture.

From Spring Festival celebrations to Chinese calligraphy-themed gatherings, the meaningful cultural bridges built by Somidez have nurtured mutual understanding and solidarity among Chinese and African employees.

Attributing every achievement it has made in the DRC to joint efforts of both Chinese and Congolese staff, Somidez has spared no effort to create a heartwarming chapter of China-Africa cooperation, translating its strong sense of responsibility into action by funding and building schools, donating seeds, supporting local communities, and empowering employees.

As China and the DRC work hand in hand to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, Somidez stands ready to continue to implement more CSR initiatives with steadfast determination, thus creating brand-new stories of mutual appreciation and inspiration among civilizations.