Chinese mining firm's actions raise questions in Congo's protected forest zone
Deep in Congoʼs rainforest a mining operation continues its work in a special wildlife area. The site‚ home to rare forest giraffes faces growing pressure between resource extraction and nature protection
In Congoʼs protected wilderness a foreign mining firm has been growing its operations since about 2016 despite the areas special status. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve (established back in mid-90s) serves as home to many unique creatures including the rare forest-giraffe species thats found nowhere else in such numbers
The reserve — part of Earthʼs second-largest rainforest system — holds roughly 4‚500 okapis which is about fifteen-percent of their total population; these shy forest-dwellers share their home with numerous other at-risk species. This special eco-system plays a key role in fighting climate change: its trees store huge amounts of carbon-dioxide
The areas mineral-rich ground (containing precious metals and gems) has drawn attention from resource companies. A China-based corporation has expanded its mining work here; local people and nature-watchers say this work hurts the environment. The situation shows how hard it is to keep nature safe when valuable resources lie beneath: some experts think the mining threatens both wildlife and the forestʼs ability to trap greenhouse gases
