Snapshot: Congo Invest Corporation (CIC) is a subcontractor that operated at Glencore’s Mutanda copper and cobalt mine (MUMI) in the DRC. In a case brought by the legal aid organisation Centre d’Aide Juridico-Judiciaire (CAJJ), over 100 former CIC workers allege they were unlawfully dismissed and left unpaid during the mine’s suspension between 2019 and 2021. On 28 October 2022, the Kolwezi Labour Tribunal ruled in favour of one of the workers, rejecting CIC’s claim and awarding $9,000 in compensation. CIC has appealed the decision, and the case is ongoing.

The mine has faced not only labour-related disputes but also long-standing allegations of environmental damage, including pollution of water sources and impacts on local health and agriculture. Workers have also raised concerns over low and irregular wages.

Between 2019–2021 Mutanda Mining (MUMI), owned by Glencore, suspended operations and placed the mine under "care and maintenance." During this period, CIC, a subcontractor, allegedly dismissed over 100 workers without proper compensation or legal process.

A legal aid group, CAJJ, supported individual workers in filing claims before the Kolwezi Labour Tribunal in DRC, alleging unlawful termination and unpaid wages.

On 28 October 2022, the tribunal rejected CIC’s claim that it was merely following instructions from Glencore’s subsidiary MUMI to reduce staff during the Covid-19 pandemic, and held the company responsible for the dismissal. CIC was ordered to pay $9,000 in damages. CIC appealed the decision.

The is ongoing.