M23 rebels force staff to work without pay, says DRC gold miner Twangiza
M23 staged a lightning advance earlier this year in eastern DRC, taking control of more land than ever before in North and South Kivu provinces. The Twangiza Mining site is located in South Kivu province.
In May the company said it had been ordered to suspend operations at the mine after M23 accused it of not paying taxes.
In a new statement dated Friday, Twangiza Mining, which is headquartered in DRC and describes itself as a Chinese firm, said its workers were being "held in captivity, forced to work in inhuman conditions, without any security measure, remuneration or medical coverage."
Reuters could not independently verify the company's assertions.
M23 and DRC's government did not respond to requests for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
BMW South Africa bets on new electric architecture to navigate economic headwinds
Peter van Binsbergen, the CEO of BMW South Africa, said the growth of electric mobility within South Africa hinged on the government's support for the infrastructure necessary to sustain this transition. Image: Supplied BMW South Africa is pinning its hopes on its new architecture for electric mobility to gain an edge in an evolving market amidst low domestic economic growth, the impact of the US import tariffs, and an aggressive influx of Chinese cars. High unemployment rates and declining job security are pressuring automotive companies to reassess their strategies while actively seeking solutions to contribute positively to the nation's economic plight. In a landscape where South Africa's economy continues to grow at a staggering rate of less than 1% for nearly a decade, the implications for the automotive industry are profound. Peter van Binsbergen, the CEO of BMW South Africa, has expressed concerns about the broader economic challenges affecting vehicle sales, making it evident that affordability has emerged as a critical issue among consumers. Despite recent figures indicating a 13.6% increase in new vehicle sales, much of this growth is seen within the less than R400 000 price point. This bracket, while significant, signals a shift away from premium brands like BMW, as locally manufactured vehicles decreased by 14.0% for the year to date compared to the same period last year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'Clearly, it's a concern. This country needs robust economic growth to genuinely turn the tide on unemployment," Van Binsbergen said on Thursday. He acknowledged that while BMW cannot solely drive that growth, the company is committed to being part of the solution. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, noting the necessity for government-led initiatives that support both existing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and attract new players. 'We want to see the number of OEMs in South Africa grow from seven to nine, to 10; each new manufacturer brings along suppliers and job opportunities, vital for revitalising the economy.' The luxury car manufacturer will introduce to the local market next year BMW Group's Neue Klasse generation of models designed with a pure electric focus, which said Van Binsbergen said will reshape the future of electric vehicles (EV). The Neue Klasse, boasting what the German automaker calls "Gen 6" architecture, incorporates a completely new battery system and drivetrain. The sophisticated framework is geared towards maximising efficiency while decreasing energy consumption, waste, rolling resistance, and the overall weight of vehicles. As a result, BMW anticipates the first vehicles built on this architecture will achieve an impressive range of 800 kilometres of range on a single charge, setting a new benchmark not only for the brand but for the entire auto sector. "We believe that this architecture will raise the benchmark for how we envision the EV of the future," Van Binsbergen said. "With its performance capabilities, an unparalleled range, and rapid charging speeds of 400 kW, the Neue Klasse will redefine what customers expect from electric vehicles." The revolution does not stop at range and efficiency; the Neue Klasse introduces a sleek and intuitive digital experience. Featuring a minimalistic design, the vehicle's interior showcases a cutting-edge freeform touchscreen interface and a panoramic digital display that extends across the dashboard. This innovative technological interface utilises voice control and eliminates excessive buttons, resulting in a streamlined user experience that enhances driver engagement. Beyond performance metrics and technological sophistication, the Neue Klasse places a strong emphasis on sustainability. This robust focus includes a commitment to recyclability and a circular economy, reinforcing BMW's position as a leader in responsible manufacturing practices. The firm is keen to align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, ensuring that its operations—especially in South Africa—meet or exceed legal environmental regulations. "Our operations here remain well ahead of the legal requirements, focusing on minimising water usage, emissions, and waste," Van Binsbergen said, emphasising the company's commitment to making a positive social impact through education and community investment. By 2030, BMW Group expects Battery Electric Vehicles to account for 50% of global vehicle sales and will be available for 100% of today's market segments. Since 2015, BMW has been a pioneer in e-mobility in South Africa, partnering with dealers to enhance electric charging infrastructure and advocate for environmentally responsible business practices. However, Van Binsbergen said the growth of electric mobility within South Africa hinged on the government's support for the infrastructure necessary to sustain this transition. "We need adequate charging networks and governmental focus on electromobility to facilitate consumer adoption of electric vehicles," he said. BMW has recently invested R4.2 billion into their South African operations, aimed at maintaining production capacity and safeguarding jobs. Van Binsbergen emphasised that 96% of the vehicles produced at their South African plant were exported, showcasing the company's significant role in driving the national economy despite the challenges in the domestic market. BUSINESS REPORT
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Only 15 of China's EV brands projected to stay viable by 2030, says AlixPartners
Only 15 out of 129 brands that sell electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in China will be financially viable by 2030 as intense competition forces consolidation and some to exit the market, consultancy AlixPartners said on Thursday. The 15 brands are projected to account for about 75% of China's EV and plug-in hybrid market by the end of the decade, each averaging annual sales of 1.02-million vehicles, AlixPartners said, without specifying brand names. However, consolidation in China is expected to proceed more slowly than in other markets, said Stephen Dyer, head of AlixPartners' automotive practice in Asia, because local governments may support non-viable brands due to their importance to regional economies, employment and supply chains. "China is one of the most competitive NEV (new energy vehicle) markets in the world, with intense price wars, rapid innovation and new entrants constantly raising the bar," Dyer said. "The environment has driven remarkable advances in technology and cost efficiency, but it has also left many companies struggling to achieve sustainable profitability." China's automotive market, the world's largest, is facing a price war and significant overcapacity which are straining profitability. Aside from BYD and Li Auto, no other publicly listed Chinese EV maker has achieved full-year profitability. Chinese regulators have called for carmakers to halt the price war. However, Dyer said it would likely continue, but through "hidden" factors such as insurance subsidies and zero interest financing rather than direct price cuts. The capacity utilisation ratio at Chinese car plants fell to an average of 50% in China last year, the lowest in a decade, pressuring profits, Dyer said.
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
China seeks safe and quick progress on assisted driving technology
In its push for assisted-driving technology, and ultimately fully self-driving cars, Beijing is seeking to help homegrown carmakers in the same way it supported China's rapid rise to become the world's electric car juggernaut. Last year, China's government lined up nine carmakers for public tests to advance the adoption of self-driving cars. In their Level 3 push, Chinese regulators also are upping the regulatory ante by holding carmakers and parts suppliers liable if their systems fail and cause an accident. Legislation passed in Britain last year adopted a similar approach to liability. At the Shanghai auto show in April, several companies touted progress toward rolling out vehicles with Level 3 capability. Tech giant Huawei said it is ready to introduce a Level 3 system for highways after simulated testing of more than 600-million kilometres. It showed a video of drivers and passengers singing karaoke as the car drove itself. Geely's Zeekr brand debuted the luxury SUV 9X, featuring Level 3 software the carmaker said is ready for mass production in the third quarter if regulations allow. Zeekr is also applying to be part of a second batch of carmakers to undergo government Level 3 validation tests. Traditional carmakers at the Shanghai auto show such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen said they were pushing their most advanced assisted driving features but stopped short of crossing the Level 3 liability line. Getting there is a challenge as they are at a cost disadvantage against their Chinese rivals, analysts said. Mercedes-Benz CTO Markus Schaefer told Reuters while chip and computing power prices have fallen, the additional safety required for Level 3 will cost much more.
