Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08KINSHASA791, DRC COPPER BELT: DREAMS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08KINSHASA791.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08KINSHASA791 | 2008-09-23 12:16 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Kinshasa |
VZCZCXRO9363
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKI #0791/01 2671216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231216Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8474
RUEHLS/AMEMBASSY LUSAKA 1469
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 4113
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0093
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0042
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0173
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0066
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1207
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0129
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 KINSHASA 000791
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID
STATE PLEASE PASS USGS
DEPT FOR AF/S, EEB/ESC AND CBA
DOE FOR SPERL AND PERSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN ENRG EINV EIND ETRD ELAB CG ZA SF
SUBJECT: DRC COPPER BELT: DREAMS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES
REF: A) KINSHASA 515
B) LUSAKA 666
C) LUSAKA 744
D) KINSHASA 646
E) KINSHASA 663
¶1. (U) This cable represents the sixth and final in an innovative
collaboration in resource reporting and commercial advocacy between
Embassies Pretoria, Kinshasa, and Lusaka (reftels). Embassy
Pretoria Minerals/Energy Officer and Specialist visited six of the
largest mines in the DRC (and four in Zambia) May 12-23, accompanied
by Embassy Kinshasa or Lusaka Specialists.
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Global copper-cobalt supply shortage and
commodity price escalation have provided the incentive for
international mining companies to invest in new exploration and
mega-projects in the DRC and the Central African Copperbelt. The
Copperbelt straddles the DRC/Zambia border and represents the
world's greatest source of cobalt and the second greatest resource
of copper, after Chile. Combined copper production from both sides
of the border is likely to reach one million tons within the next
five years, a figure last achieved in the 1960s and 1970s before the
wars in the DRC and nationalization in Zambia. Investment has
flowed into the region, despite significant lack of skills and
infrastructure, in combination with an uncertain power supply.
Recent actions by the DRC government and the Governor of Katanga
Province have caused some uncertainty in the investment environment,
which could have negative implications for incremental investment.
The mining licence review and measures to fight mineral export fraud
are intended to boost the DRC's income from copper and cobalt
mining, but red tape, corruption, and higher taxes are driving up
costs and uncertainty for companies. Nevertheless, companies will
persevere with short-term commitments because of the huge
opportunities and costs already incurred. End Summary.
Compelling and Unique Geology
------------------------------
¶3. (SBU) All mines visited in both the DRC and Zambia occur within
the world-renowned Lufilian Arc. The Arc is a geological feature
estimated to be 1,050 million to 650 million years old, which
stretches some 500 kilometers from Angola in the west, across the
southern DRC and into Zambia. Earlier interpretations of the
geology of the "traditional" Copperbelt envisaged a simple
sedimentary-hosted, strata-bound type of mineral deposit. More
recent research has shown that the geology and mineral associations
are much more complex, particularly in newer remote mines, and that
mineralization differs in age and characteristics from mine to mine.
This has opened up a whole new vista of exploration targets. South
American copper deposits are bigger in tonnage, but DRC and Zambian
deposits have much higher grades and many contain cobalt. The DRC
deposits also have higher grades of both minerals than their Zambian
neighbors and leads to a conclusion that the northern "limb" of the
Arc may have a different mineral footprint than the southern "limb"
in Zambia.
Increasing Government Take
--------------------------
¶4. (SBU) The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the most
attractive mining areas in Africa, particularly since the post civil
war elections of 2006. Corruption and the smuggling of ores and
concentrates across borders have deprived the government of tax
revenues needed to fund the budget. As a response, the Governor of
Katanga Province last year banned exports of ores and concentrates
containing less than 15 percent copper, and cracked down on customs
agents involved in fraud. These measures, combined with an overall
rise in production, have increased government revenues, according to
Katanga Mines Minister Bartelemy Mumba Gama in press reports, but
KINSHASA 00000791 002 OF 008
red tape and higher local taxes are driving up costs for companies.
Review of Mining Leases
-----------------------
¶5. (SBU) The GDRC claims that many of the mining leases signed
prior to 2002, a time of civil war in the DRC, were one-sided in
favor of the mining companies. The current high prices of copper
and cobalt have exacerbated these perceived inequities and the
government asserts it is not receiving an appropriate share of the
"windfall" revenues. The GDRC announced early this year that it
would review 61 mining licenses and that most contracts would need
to be renegotiated, with respect to royalty payments and government
ownership through mining parastatal GECAMINES. Completion of the
review remains scheduled for September 30. Companies like
Freeport-McMoRan (Tenke Fungurume), Metorex (Ruashi), First Quantum
(Kolwezi Tailings), and Anvil (Kinsevere) are particularly
vulnerable because they had negotiated a change in the license
convention which reduced GECAMINES' share-holding, a practice
reportedly not permitted in the current mining code. A principal
concern for the companies, NGOs such as the Carter Center who have
provided technical assistance, and the USG has been the lack of
transparency in the process. While the GDRC did publish general
terms of reference for the contract renegotiation process, the next
step for these vulnerable "category B" licenses is not clear and
transparent as companies apparently negotiate one on one with the
GDRC. These companies fear that the license review could serve as a
pretext to take concessions to award to Chinese interests as part of
China's significant and opaque infrastructure loan (Ref A).
Power and Infrastructure
------------------------
¶6. (SBU) Power (mainly hydro-electric) is generated in the DRC by
Socit Nationale d'Electricit (SNEL), the government-owned
electricity company. Shortages of power are endemic in the DRC due
to a lack of capacity for maintenance of turbines and transmission
lines. The mining companies have managed to secure a reasonably
adequate and reliable supply through a number of initiatives ranging
from financing to rehabilitating and building power lines,
sub-stations, generation turbines, and DC-AC converter facilities.
Comparable shortfalls apply to the country's road system, which is
in a state of advanced decay. For most mines, these roads are the
only means of moving equipment, supplies, and product to site and
market. Rail lines are operational, but because of their limited
range and coverage, as well as lack of rolling stock, skills and
parts, and poor management, the rail service is expensive,
inadequate, and inefficient, and generally avoided by mining
operators where roads are an option.
Social Commitments - A License to Mine
--------------------------------------
¶7. (SBU) All mines on the DRC Copperbelt, and especially in the
remote areas, express commitment to programs of social development
and upliftment on the mines and in the surrounding communities. The
mines would lose their "social license to mine" and encounter labor
and community unrest without such programs. All mines visited have
robust social programs in place, generally tailored to the
particular needs of the local communities. Provisions include mine
housing, medical, educational, power, water, social infrastructure,
nutrition schemes, recreational facilities, subsidizing salaries for
teachers and medical staff, and support for small business projects
by providing the facilities, materials and markets for products,
such as brick-making, vegetables-growing, Jatropha-growing for
bio-fuels, and briquette-making using Jatropha residues. A major
feature of the social programs is the great effort being allocated
for training locals, who in most instances have limited exposure to
KINSHASA 00000791 003 OF 008
the techno-industrial world. Companies have committed to training
and hiring locals to fill most of their mining positions. It is
widely perceived that Chinese and domestic mining companies do not
adhere to the same commitment to social development, skills
transfer/training, and safety.
Mine Visits
-----------
¶8. (SBU) The collective Embassies' mining team visited the
following mines and facilities in the DRC:
-- Tenke Fungurume Mining copper/cobalt open pit mine owned by
Freeport-McMoRan of the United States (57.75 percent), Lundin Mining
of Canada (24.75 percent) and DRC parastatal GECAMINES (17.5
percent); capex $1.7 billion; hosted by the Processing General
Manager Sam Rasmussen;
-- Kolwezi copper/cobalt tailings project owned by First Quantum of
Canada (65 percent), State-owned Gecamines mining company (12.5
percent), South African government-owned Industrial Development
Corporation (10 percent), International Finance Corporation (7.5
percent), and the GDRC (5 percent); capex $553 million;
-- Lonshi small open pit high-grade oxide copper mine owned by First
Quantum of Canada (100 percent); capex $25 million;
-- Frontier open pit sulfide copper mine owned by First Quantum of
Canada (95 percent and Gecamines (5 percent); capex $226;
(DRC Country Manager Jeffery Ovian accompanied the team on all
visits to First Quantum mines)
-- Ruashi open pit oxide copper/cobalt mine owned by Metorex of
South Africa (80 percent) and Gecamines (20%); capex $220 million;
hosted by Mine Manager Grant Dempsey; and
-- Kinsevere open pit oxide copper mine owned by Anvil of Australia
(95 percent) and Mining Company of Katanga (MCK) (5 percent); capex
$420 million; hosted by Vice President DRC Operations Toby Bradbury.
Tenke Fungurume an Awakening Giant
----------------------------------
¶9. (SBU) Tenke Fungurume Mining's (TFM) copper/cobalt oxide
deposits comprise one of the world's largest and richest known
copper-cobalt resources, which still remains extensively
under-explored. TFM is being developed west of Lubumbashi in
Katanga Province for a 40-year production life. It is considered a
mega-project and will be the largest mine in the region. The
operator is Freeport-McMoRan, which holds an effective 57.75 percent
stake. Latest estimates show TFM investment will reach $1.7
billion, nearly double the previous estimate, as a result of scope
changes and cost of additional infrastructure. Part of the
investment will go to funding power and transport infrastructure
needed by the mine and the region. Major Capital Items ($-millions)
include:
-- Mining fleet $ 40
-- Copper/Cobalt plant $410
-- Indirect costs $232
-- Total $682
¶10. (SBU) TFM's high-grade oxide copper-cobalt deposits lie on the
northern edge of the Lufilian Arc. The geology is complex and
mineralization has taken place in a number of events over geological
time. Subsequent tectonic action has given rise to multiple
mineralized dome structures of which some twenty-one occur in the
TFM lease area. Currently three are being developed for mining.
The dome structures are amenable to mining using a unique $1.6
million U.S.-built Vermeer surface miner. The surface miner uses a
rotating drum studded with titanium-hardened steel to rip and
fragment surface ore and waste rock down to a depth of about 60
centimeters. The rock is selectively removed by front-end loaders
and transported to respective waste and graded ore stockpiles to
await completion of the processing plant. Mining has begun on the
KINSHASA 00000791 004 OF 008
first such outcrop known as Kwatebala. Copper/Cobalt Ore Reserves
and Resources estimates are:
Million Copper% Cobalt%
Tons
Reserves 100 2.27 0.33
Resources 503 2.80 0.24
Total Reserves/Resources 603 2.71 0.26
¶11. (SBU) An oxide ore processing plant is under construction and
commissioning is planned for early 2009. The initial annual mining
rate will be 115,000 tons of copper and 8,000 tons of cobalt, with
plans to expand production to 400,000 tons copper and 28,000 tons
cobalt in the next five years. Processing will comprise a standard
crushing, milling, and sulfuric acid leach circuit, followed by
solvent extraction and electro-winning (SX/EW) of the copper to
produce cathode copper. A separate cobalt refinery will produce
cobalt hydroxide. Egress is a vexing challenge. It will require
some 450 truckloads per year on bad roads to carry copper cathode to
Durban port for export. The plant will also produce sulfuric acid
for its own use and for sale. Tenke management claims the mine is
committed to zero discharge from its tailings reservoir.
¶12. (SBU) Freeport has agreed to supply a loan to the state power
utility SNEL to fund investment in regional power infrastructure,
including expanded electrical power-generation capacity and improved
power reliability. Rasmussen told the team that TFM will refurbish
two of four turbines at the Nseke hydroelectric facility, providing
250 megawatts of power of which TFM will use only 80. TFM has put
in place substantial social development investment, asserts it is
committed to the Equator Principles, and works closely with a number
of international NGOs such as Pact and ISOS to implement a robust
social development program. TFM currently employs 5,000 people,
mainly from local communities, while under construction and will
employ 1,000 employees when in full operation.
Kolwezi Oxide Tailings Project - Cleaning up the Mess
--------------------------------------------- --------
¶13. (SBU) The Kolwezi Tailings project will ambitiously exploit one
of the world's largest resources of primary cobalt, and also recover
substantial amounts of copper. These metals are contained in two
immense dumps of floatation tailings from the treatment of
high-grade ore from the KOV and other nearby mines from 1952
onwards. The then prevailing processing technologies techniques
failed to recover large amounts of copper and cobalt, which were
discharged into the two tailings dams. The project is located
outside the town of Kolwezi and west of TFM in Katanga Province.
The area was the center of extensive mining activity in the 1930s to
1960s and little care was taken in disposing of mine tailings, which
were often pumped into streams and dams. The project operator is
First Quantum, which holds a 65 percent stake in the project.
Management is bitter that the GDRC labeled this project as one of
the few "Category C" projects, a designation for the recommended
cancellation of a contract.
¶14. (SBU) The resources consist of two tailings dams holding 40 and
72 million tons of "ore", respectively. The 72-million ton resource
is about 11 kilometers long and partially lies under a dam that will
be mined by dredge. The above-water portion will be mined using
hydro-mining techniques using high-pressure water to break down the
tailings into a sludge that will be pumped to a conventional solvent
extraction/electro-winning (SE/EW) treatment plant. The smaller
resource will also be mined hydraulically. The planned SE/EW plant
will be the biggest in Africa at four times the capacity of First
Quantum's Bwana Mkuba plant and twice that of First Quantum's own
Kansanshi plant, both in Zambia. The combined resource has been
estimated as 113 million tons grading 0.32 percent cobalt and 1.49
percent copper.
KINSHASA 00000791 005 OF 008
¶15. (SBU) Project construction is under way. Capital expenditure
for the base case is estimated at around $553 million. The plant
will initially treat 2.5 million tons of tailings per year to
produce 35,000 tons of copper cathode and 7,000 tons of cobalt
hydroxide (about 4,200 tons cobalt metal equivalent). It is being
designed and constructed so that capacity can be doubled for an
incremental capital cost of $40 million. Thereafter, plant
expansions will treat 4.3 million tons per year and produce 105,000
tons of copper and 17,400 tons of cobalt hydroxide (12,600 tons
contained cobalt) per year over 20 to 27-year life, depending on
markets and practical experience. Commissioning of the project is
scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009, and commercial production
for the first quarter of 2010. Electricity will be supplied be from
Nseki and Nzilo hydro plants via a DC-AC converter station, and
ultimately from Inga once the stations are fully operational. To
date there has been little action on the proposed construction of a
3,000 MW Inga-3 hydro-electric facility on the Congo River.
Lonshi Oxide Copper Mine - End of the Road
------------------------------------------
¶16. (SBU) First Quantum operates two mines in the DRC's "pedicle",
with access from and egress to Zambia. The Lonshi mine works a very
high-grade (8-10 percent) copper oxide deposit located in the DRC on
the border with Zambia. It was the first greenfields copper mine
built on either side of the Copperbelt in 33 years and produced
520,000 tons of ore grading 10.3 percent copper in 2006. First
Quantum originally conducted exploration in the area to secure
additional feed for its Bwana Mkubwa (BM) processing plant in Zambia
and discovered the Lonshi oxide ore deposit in 2000. The deposit
was originally discovered by Belgian geologists in the 1930s, but
was never worked.
¶17. (SBU) Lonshi ore is produced by conventional open pit truck and
excavator/shovel mining methods. The ore was for years trucked for
processing at BM, which is a conventional copper oxide acid/leach,
SE/EX plant located in Zambia some 35 kilometers to the west of the
mine. This arrangement is a bone of contention as the Governor of
Katanga Moise Katumbi closed the border to ore exports from Lonshi
in November 2007, despite Central Government approval to export,
according to the company. At the time of the team's visit the mine
was sitting on some 700,000 tons of stockpiled high and low grade
ore waiting for permission to move to BM. At the same time BM had
only one working SX/EW circuit, was importing feed from other
sources, and was operating at less than 50 percent of capacity. BM
has produced cathode copper and sulfuric acid from Lonshi ore since
¶1998.
¶18. (SBU) Lonshi is scheduled to cease production from its open pit
at the end of this year and is currently sinking a decline to
evaluate the viability of underground mining of sulfide ore. It
will take an estimated two years to convert to underground mining if
proved viable. (Comment. It is not clear why the feasibility study
was delayed until closure of the pit. If Lonshi does proceed with
mining sulfide ore it will need to build a concentrator or have to
transport ore to Frontier mine for processing. End Comment.) First
Quantum owns 100% of Lonshi and acquired full rights to the mine
under the new Congolese Mining Code in August 2003.
Frontier - a Lower Grade Mine
-----------------------------
¶19. (SBU) First Quantum's $226.4-million Frontier copper mine, also
located in the DRC pedicle, achieved commercial production in
November 2007 at a plant throughput of 15,000 tons (design capacity
of 22,000 tons) of ore per day. The mine is 95 percent-owned by
First Quantum and is a greenfield development relatively close to
existing mine developments in the Zambian Copperbelt, which
KINSHASA 00000791 006 OF 008
facilitates issues of access and housing. However, all mine site
infrastructure was developed by the mine. The mine is located in
south-eastern DRC, 45 kilometers north of Ndola on the Zambian
Copperbelt. The main railway from the Copperbelt in Zambia to
Lubumbashi in the DRC passes within 5 kilometers of the Frontier
site.
¶20. (SBU) Mineralization at Frontier is sediment-hosted and occurs
higher in the stratigraphic sequence than deposits in the
traditional Copperbelt. The deposit occurs within veined and
altered sediments of the Katanga Group and is located in the
south-eastern extension of the Lufilian arc. The copper occurs
mainly as sulfides within shales and conglomerates that have been
highly faulted and folded. Measured and indicated sulfide resource
at a 0.35 percent copper cut-off totals 182 million tons of ore
grading 1.16 percent copper, equivalent to 2.1 million tons of
copper. In addition, the deposit hosts an oxide/mixed resource of
26 million tons grading 1.19 percent copper, equivalent to 310,000
tons of copper. The oxide/mixed ore is stockpiled separately for
possible processing in the future or for treatment at Bwana Mkubwa
plant, should the GDRC's ban on ore exports be lifted.
¶21. (SBU) Frontier is a conventional sulfide ore open pit mining
and processing operation. It has been designed to produce
1,000-1,200 tons of concentrate per day containing 27 percent
copper. It produced 8,000 tons of copper in concentrate in 2007 and
84,000 tons in 2008. During the estimated 19-year mine life,
Frontier is expected to produce 1.43 million tons of copper at an
average 75,000 tons per year. The total concentrate will be shipped
for smelting and refining in Zambian facilities, at least until such
are built in the DRC. During the teams visit, the mine had a
concentrate stockpile valued at $100 million caused by the embargo
on exports, which has subsequently been lifted. The mine employs
1,100 of whom 900 were local, and requires 26-28 megawatts of power
from DRC utility SNEL, which is wheeled in through Zambia.
Ruashi - Another Mining Superlative
-----------------------------------
¶22. (SBU) Ruashi Mining Sprl is an exceptionally high-grade oxide
orebody grading greater than 3.5 percent copper and just less than 1
percent cobalt. It also had some 3 million tons of stockpiled
tailings from defunct mines, which enabled it to generate an early
cash flow for mine development. The bulk of that resource has been
processed through the Phase 1 Concentrator. The Ruashi mine is
located only 10 kilometers from the Katanga provincial capital of
Lubumbashi in southern DRC. The mine is 80 percent owned by
Metorex, a South African middle-tier mining company, and 20 percent
by the state-owned mining company Gecamines. Last measured reserves
and resources are tabled below:
Million Tons %Copper %Cobalt
Mineral Reserves 24,120,000 3.78 0.79
Mineral resources
-- Mining Pit 35,530,000 3.74 0.46%
-- Stockpiles 2,720,000 1.86 0.35%
Total Resources 38,250,000 3.61 0.45%
¶23. (SBU) Production at Ruashi was planned in two phases. Phase I
was commissioned in July 2006 to process some 56 oxide ore
stockpiles and tailings dumps that surround the Ruashi and Etoile
open pits (the Etoile pit was first mined in 1911) from a number of
old defunct operations. Phase II comprises plans underway to build
a new solvent extraction/electro-winning (SE/EW) plant to process
the high-grade Ruashi orebodies. A future Phase III would involve
underground mining of primary sulfide ore that underlies the oxide
cap currently being mined in the pits. The build-up of Phase II
overlaps with Phase I and has resulted in higher tonnages treated
and copper and cobalt output.
KINSHASA 00000791 007 OF 008
¶24. (SBU) Production for 2008 is expected to increase as more ore
from the Ruashi pit becomes available. The Phase I mine and the
Zambian Sable processing facility annually produce 10,000 tons of
copper cathode and 500 tons of cobalt in carbonate. Phase II will
increase output by 45,000 and 3,500 tons, respectively, plus 500
tons per day of sulfuric acid. Phase II involves the expansion of
the phase I concentrator and the construction of a new acid-leaching
section, and an SX/EW plant for the production on site of copper
metal (99.99 percent copper) and cobalt carbonate powder (25 to 27
percent cobalt). Capital expenditure for the metallurgical complex
is forecast to be $180 million to treat 120,000 tons of ore per
month from two open pits at a headgrade of 3.5 percent copper. Full
production is planned for 2009, and mine life is estimated to be at
least 30 years.
¶25. (SBU) Currently, the oxide material is treated in the Ruashi
concentrator where it is sulfurized and floated as an oxide
concentrate. The concentrate is trucked to Metorex's Sable refinery
complex north of Lusaka where copper metal and cobalt carbonate are
produced. Production from the Ruashi open pits began in late 2007,
the new copper refinery was commissioned at the beginning of 2008,
the cobalt refinery should be commissioned by the end of the year,
and the solvent extraction plant is still under construction. Once
in full production in 2009, Ruashi will produce 40,000 to 45,000
tons per year of 99.99 percent copper metal and 3,500 tons of cobalt
in carbonate. An additional 10,000 tons of copper and 500 tons of
cobalt in carbonate will continue to be produced at the Sable
facility.
Kinsevere - Anvil's Biggest Investment in the DRC
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶26. (SBU) Kinsevere is Australia-based Anvil's biggest investment
in the DRC and is likely to become a large tonnage, high-grade,
oxide-copper operation. Phase I of the project includes a major
open pit mining operation, a heavy media separation (HMS) plant, and
two electric-arc furnaces (EAF). Phase II will be a conventional
acid/leach solvent extraction/electro-winning (SE/EW) circuit under
development. A potential Phase III could be the development of an
underground mine to exploit the primary sulfide ore lying below the
oxide cap, and the possible construction of a sulfide circuit to
process the ore. Phase I was commissioned in June 2007 at a cost of
$35-million to produce 25,000 tons of copper per year. Construction
of Phase II began in the second half of 2007 and full production is
expected by 2010. The capital cost of this phase has escalated to
$380 million. The mine is located 27 kilometers north of
Lubumbashi.
¶27. (SBU) The Kinsevere orebody is abnormally thick because the
20-meter thick barren unit that usually separates the upper and
lower orebodies of the Copperbelt is absent, and the overlying unit
is also economic to mine. The latest reserve/resource estimates
shows 50-million tons of ore grading 3.6 percent copper, but low in
cobalt, and containing 1.8 million tons of copper. The deposits are
hosted in the Lower Roan Supergroup/Mines Group in a mixed sequence
of silica and carbonate rocks. The ore forms an oxide cap more than
100 meters thick, which overlies the primary sulfide mineralization.
¶28. (SBU) The Kinsevere mine has three ore bodies conducive to
open-pit extraction, two of which are being developed for production
and the third will be opened in about 9 years. The ore is 95
percent free digging and the stripping ratio is low at 2.7 tons of
waste to 1 ton of ore. Mining on both deposits has operated at full
capacity since January 2007. During the last seven months of 2007,
the mine produced 13,006 tons of copper from concentrates grading
27% copper. When the two electric-arc furnaces are commissioned,
which is scheduled for later in 2008, the mine will also produce
KINSHASA 00000791 008 OF 008
90-95 percent "black copper" ingots. Kinsevere is forecast to
produce 28,500 tons of copper in 2008, of which some 10,000 tons
will be "black copper". The mine receives 39.5 megawatts of
hydro-electric power from SNEL. Currently the fine tailings
(average grade of 2.9 percent copper) and HMS light fraction
(average grade 4.3 percent copper) are stockpiled for future
processing in the Phase II SX/EW plant. Phase II will produce
60,000 tons of A-grade cathode copper (99.99 percent copper) per
year by 2010.
Comment
-------
¶29. (SBU) A calculation of the copper and cobalt production from
only the DRC mines visited shows that if all goes as planned, the
six mines should produce about 260,000 tons of copper and 17,000
tons of cobalt annually in the next two to three years. Based on
the mines' expansion plans, this could increase to over 700,000 tons
copper and 65,000 tons cobalt per year within the next five years.
These calculations do not take into account new and expanded
production from other mines in the DRC or production from Zambia.
The cobalt consumption estimate for 2012 ranges from 97,000 to
105,000 tons. There is a possibility that cobalt may be in over
supply at that time.
¶30. These DRC mines with western investors are bringing significant
skills transfer, social development, and tax revenues to the DRC.
They are working with NGOs and the GDRC to integrate or ameliorate
the lot of numerous artisanal miners. The companies are grappling
with uncertainty related to the DRC mining review, corruption, and
dilapidated infrastructure. The GDRC legitimately seeks to gain
adequate benefits to the country through the license review, but
still needs to assure transparent oversight and transfer of these
benefits to its people.
GARVELINK