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3 Nov 2022

A lobbying firm purportedly devised a covert strategy to manipulate elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, allegedly acting as agents for First Quantum Minerals.

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A lobbying firm affiliated with the Conservative party allegedly devised a covert plan to influence elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, receiving millions of pounds from a mining company. Leaked documents indicate that the firm, CT Group, aimed to shape political events in multiple African countries while working on Tory election campaigns. The documents revealed discussions between CT Group and First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian mining firm, regarding a campaign against the DRC government. The plan involved supporting the most viable candidate against the incumbent president and engaging in activities to undermine him domestically and internationally. Additionally, CT Group was also allegedly involved in a secret political project in Zambia, where First Quantum operates, was indicated. The firm conducted polling, provided political intelligence, and assessed political parties' approaches to the mining sector.

We invited First Quantum Minerals to respond to these allegations. They provided a response.