20100913
reuters

DAKAR (Reuters) - Congo will struggle to enforce its new ban on mining in rebellious eastern areas and the move is likely to increase smuggling rather than help clean up an industry accused of fuelling conflict, analysts say.

Congo is under growing international pressure to stop armed groups profiting from mining, but analysts say a clampdown on so-called "conflict minerals" will be difficult because government troops are themselves heavily involved in the trade.

Congo's mines ministry issued a statement on Saturday banning the mining, processing and marketing of minerals in North Kivu, South Kivu and Maniema provinces.

The region is rich in minerals such as gold, cassiterite and tantalum that end up in jewellery, laptops and cell phones. No major firms operate there, but small-scale mining employs thousands and has been linked to simmering conflicts.

"If there is a ban ... then I struggle to understand how they could actually enforce it on the ground," Simon Gilbert, and independent extractive industries consultant, told Reuters.

"It's virtually impossible to do so to any degree that makes it worthwhile."

Some 5 million people have died in the central African state since the start of a 1998-2003 war. Despite the official end of that war, government and U.N. forces are struggling to uproot myriad rebel groups that still roam the east, often fighting over control of mines.

The U.S. Senate passed legislation in July calling on companies to prove material extracted from Congo and its nine neighbours is "conflict free."