Conservation, conflict and semi-industrial mining: The case of eastern DRC

Semi-industrial mining in and near protected areas in eastern DRC exacerbates violent conflict in three ways: 1) it fosters competition between political-military networks; 2) it creates new, and exacerbates existing, conflicts; and 3) it intensifies popular grievances because of negative social and environmental impacts. In a militarized environment, conflict and competition can spark violence and foster popular support for armed groups. Measures to curb mining in protected areas need to take these different effects on conflict dynamics into consideration. Policymakers and donors need to ensure that such measures do not exacerbate conflict, competition and grievances by 1) fostering broad support for them among different (civilian and military) state agencies and at different administrative levels; 2) anticipating displacement effects; and 3) carefully assessing the impact on local livelihoods.