Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundi

Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundi, commonly known as COMEBU, is a privately owned mining enterprise in Burundi. Its activities have centered on coltan and cassiterite, minerals that are important sources of tantalum and tin and that are also associated with the Great Lakes region’s long-running challenges involving informal production, cross-border trade and mineral traceability. The company was granted a 25-year license covering coltan and cassiterite extraction in Kabarore Commune, Kayanza Province, and cassiterite extraction in Murehe, Kirundo Province. The two concessions reportedly covered approximately 39 square kilometres. COMEBU conducted exploration work in 2003 and 2004. The exploration results were reported to indicate proven coltan reserves of 1,908 tonnes, probable reserves of 2,504 tonnes and possible reserves of 5,000 tonnes. On the basis of those estimates, the company committed to exporting approximately 10,000 kilograms of coltan concentrate per month for 25 years. Production and exports did not reach that level. By 2010, the official quantity was reported at roughly 500 kilograms per month, or about six tonnes annually. A separate account covering the period from 1987 to 2016 described COMEBU as having approximately 200 employees in Kabarore and extracting about 400 kilograms per month, equivalent to 4.8 tonnes per year. The company’s operating environment has included a substantial artisanal mining sector. Reports from around 2010 described numerous artisanal miners extracting coltan and cassiterite outside official channels. Some were expected to work for COMEBU, but reportedly received prices considered unattractive compared with unofficial traders. Official employment figures were said to be about 700 miners, while the broader workforce involved in extraction, washing and transport may have reached approximately 2,000 people, including women and children engaged in ore-processing and carrying tasks. Much of the production was reportedly sold clandestinely, with coltan moving directly to Rwanda or passing through Bujumbura before crossing the border. In 2016, local residents organized the mineral exploitation company BME as a subcontractor to COMEBU. By 2022, BME was reported to have more than 4,000 employees and production of around 30 tonnes per month, or 360 tonnes per year. The broader operation nevertheless faced reported losses from mineral smuggling into Rwanda. On 6 January 2022, Burundi’s minister responsible for hydraulics, energy and mines stated that COMEBU was the country’s only active mining company while the activities of other mining companies had been suspended during a review of national mining policy and the mining code. COMEBU’s public profile is therefore defined less by consumer-facing branding than by its role as a licensed operator and commercial channel in Burundi’s mineral sector. Available reporting provides limited information about its corporate leadership, financial performance, ownership structure, export customers or current production. Field reporting in 2023 described mechanized open-pit excavation at the Kivuvu site in Kabarore alongside manual work using picks and shovels, hand crushing and gravity concentration in water tanks or improvised pits. These accounts also highlighted difficult working conditions and the continuing tension between formal licensing, artisanal labor and illicit cross-border mineral flows.

COMEBU is a privately owned Burundian mining enterprise whose activities have focused on coltan and cassiterite. The company received a 25-year license for concessions in Kabarore Commune in Kayanza Province and Murehe in Kirundo Province. The concessions together covered about 39 square kilometres. Kabarore became the principal location associated with the company’s coltan operations. Exploration conducted in 2003–2004 produced estimates of 1,908 tonnes of proven coltan reserves, 2,504 tonnes of probable reserves and 5,000 tonnes of possible reserves. These estimates supported a stated commitment to export 10,000 kilograms of coltan concentrate each month over the license period. Reported output was considerably lower. By 2010, official production was approximately 500 kilograms per month, while an account covering 1987–2016 reported around 400 kilograms per month and approximately 200 employees in Kabarore. The company’s licensed operations existed alongside extensive artisanal mining. Around 2010, many miners were reportedly extracting coltan and cassiterite illegally or outside the company’s formal structures. Some miners were expected to work through COMEBU but allegedly found its purchasing prices less attractive than those offered by unofficial traders. Estimates of the workforce varied: COMEBU was reported to officially employ 700 miners, while the wider number of people involved in extraction, ore washing and transport was estimated at about 2,000. Women and children were described as participating in washing ore and carrying water and minerals. Much of the artisanal production was reportedly diverted into clandestine trade, with coltan transported to Rwanda directly or through Bujumbura. In 2016, local people established the mineral exploitation company BME as a subcontractor to COMEBU. By 2022, BME was reported to have expanded to more than 4,000 employees and production of roughly 30 tonnes per month. The operation continued to experience losses from smuggling to Rwanda, illustrating the difficulty of controlling mineral flows across the Burundi–Rwanda border. Government attention increased in 2022. On 6 January, Minister Ibrahim Uwizeye stated that COMEBU was the only active mining company in Burundi, with other companies’ activities suspended while mining policy and the mining code were being reviewed. Later that year, on 3 December, President Evariste Ndayishimiye criticized investor François Uwiragiye in a public speech in Kayanza, accusing him of benefiting at the expense of the population. The available material does not establish the precise corporate relationship between Uwiragiye and COMEBU. A field report from May 2023 described the Kivuvu site near Kabarore as a guarded mining area with large machines working an open-cast coltan pit and manual miners using picks and shovels. Ore was crushed and ground by hand, then concentrated through gravity in water tanks or excavated holes. The report noted that many workers lacked gloves or masks, although some wore helmets. Publicly available information does not provide a definitive account of COMEBU’s current ownership, executive team, financial results, export contracts or operating status beyond reports that it remained the country’s active licensed operator in 2022.

• 2023

  Kivuvu site documented in field reporting

  [1]Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org

  A field visit described mechanized and manual coltan extraction, hand processing and gravity concentration at the Kivuvu site in Kabarore.

• 2022

  COMEBU identified as Burundi’s only active mining company

  [1]Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org

  The mining minister said COMEBU was the only active mining company while the government reviewed mining policy and prepared a revised mining code.

• 2016

  BME formed as a subcontractor

  [1]Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org

  Local residents organized BME as a mineral-exploitation subcontractor to COMEBU.

• 2004

  Coltan reserve estimates reported

  [1]Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org

  Exploration results were reported to identify 1,908 tonnes of proven coltan reserves, 2,504 tonnes of probable reserves and 5,000 tonnes of possible reserves.

• 2003

  Exploration begins at licensed concessions

  [1]Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org

  COMEBU carried out exploration work in 2003–2004 at concessions associated with Kabarore and Murehe.

A privately owned, licensed mining operator serving Burundi’s coltan and cassiterite supply chain.

• Mineral concentrate

  Coltan concentrate

  Coltan, a columbite-tantalite ore, is COMEBU’s principal reported mineral. The company’s Kabarore concession was associated with coltan exploration and licensed extraction. Ore was described as being crushed, ground and concentrated through gravity-based washing before entering formal or informal trade channels.

• Tin ore

  Cassiterite

  Cassiterite, the main ore of tin, is another mineral covered by COMEBU’s licenses. Reported licensed areas included Kabarore in Kayanza Province and Murehe in Kirundo Province. Public sources do not provide a complete breakdown of current cassiterite volumes, customers or processing arrangements.

• 2016

  Use of a local subcontractor for mineral exploitationStrategy

  Background

  Local residents organized BME in 2016 to participate in mineral exploitation as a subcontractor to COMEBU.

  Action taken

  BME operated as a subcontracting entity associated with COMEBU’s mining activities.

  Aftermath

  By 2022, BME was reported to have more than 4,000 employees and production of approximately 30 tonnes per month, although mineral smuggling remained a reported problem.

  Source

1. 1Comptoirs miniers des exploitations minières du Burundien.wikipedia.org