The Democratic Republic of Congo said that about 25 mining contracts risk being terminated by the end of 2009.

Mr Victor Kasongo Shomary deputy minister of mines said that many mining companies carried out their activities with contracts failed to bring benefits to the DRC.

He added that "We are going to see after the feasibility studies are complete. The concerned companies need to present their reasons and the mines ministry will decide either to prolong their deadline or revoke the permits. The objective of the Congolese government is to put her active mines in capable hands."

He was critical of those companies, whose names he did not mention, that they had neither finalized nor presented their feasibility studies.

Since their return to parliament, several Congolese lawmaker have asked for a candid debate by the National Assembly on the management of mineral concessions.

(Sourced from www.chinamining.org)