Reuters reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo has banned tin mining in the Walikale district of North Kivu, the largest tin producing region of the country.

Mr Martin Kabwelulu mines minister of Congo told reporters that in the provincial capital Goma that all mining in the district was to be halted because of lack of security. He said that at least 80 soldiers have died in the region, which accounts for more than half of the country's output. But he didn't specify the period in which the deaths occurred.

According to mining authorities, the Walikale district produces most of North Kivu's cassiterite, as well as smaller amounts of diamonds and gold. North and South Kivu exported a total of 7,000 tonnes of cassiterite in 2006, although industry experts estimate the real figure was closer to 12,000 tonnes, because a large amount of exports were undeclared.