AECI Mining Explosives marked an important milestone at DRC Mining Week 2026 in Lubumbashi, celebrating 20 years of continuous presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This milestone positions AECI as a strategic partner in its customers’ success, rather than merely a supplier, and reflects how the company has evolved alongside the industry. It also reinforces the company’s commitment to long-term, collaborative partnerships and highlights the integrated solutions approach that underpins the broader AECI Mining ecosystem.
This year’s DRC Mining Week, themed The DRC’s Shift: From Local Player to the World’s Leading Hub for Critical Minerals, provided an opportunity to reflect on how both the country and its mining sector have evolved. Discussions during the event reinforced the DRC’s position as one of Africa’s leading mining destinations and highlighted its growing importance as a contributor of critical minerals in the global energy transition.
Since entering the market two decades ago, AECI Mining Explosives has expanded its presence across the country. Today, the company provides blast design, initiation systems, explosives supply, blasting equipment, delivery system technologies and on-site support to a number of major mining operations.
At DRC Mining Week 2026, the company engaged with mining houses, contractors and various stakeholders on how blasting technologies can contribute to ore recovery, improved safety and assist operations in meeting growing production demands. For AECI Mining Explosives, conversations during the event also highlighted the importance of reliability and scale as mining companies respond to increasing demand from global copper markets.
“Twenty years in the DRC is a testament to the trust our clients place in us, the resilience of our teams, and our unwavering belief in the potential of this country. Our ambition extends beyond short-term success. We are here to build a sustainable business that contributes positively to the growth and prosperity of the DRC’s mining communities,” says Kazadi Kaninda, Managing Director of AECI Mining Explosives DRC.
One of the defining features of AECI’s presence in the DRC has been the continuous adaptation of technology to local conditions. The company currently operates what is believed to be the largest fleet of Mobile Charging Units (MCUs) in the region, with more than 40 units in operation and plans for further expansion. This scale provides the capacity required by high-output mining operations.
AECI’s vertical drop emulsion system has become an established technology at customer sites, enabling the direct delivery of emulsion to underground storage facilities for simplified distribution to blast faces and sustained continuous production cycles.
The company has also evolved its up-hole charging capability, with products proven to retain themselves in vertically drilled holes up to 90 degrees and in excess of 30 metres for prolonged periods. According to AECI Mining Explosives, this level of performance remains unmatched in the region.
Beyond its strong presence in the southern copper-cobalt sector, AECI DRC has established a significant footprint in the north-eastern part of the DRC, supplying gold mining operations, as well as in the western region, where it serves the country’s cement and construction materials quarries. Through its presence in these remote areas, AECI demonstrates its resilience and commitment to the development of the DRC across all sectors where civil explosives are required.
People have played an equally important role in the company’s journey. Under the leadership of Managing Director Kazadi Kaninda, who was recognised at DRC Mining Week last year for his contribution to the sector, the local team has developed extensive technical expertise and long-standing relationships across the industry. That continuity has allowed the business to navigate the regulatory, logistical and operational realities unique to the DRC.
The anniversary also served as an opportunity to honour the individuals who have shaped AECI DRC’s success over the past two decades. As a pioneer of the civil explosives sector in the DRC, AECI introduced several industry firsts, including cold bulk emulsion, blended emulsion, Heavy ANFO and electronic detonators in the early 2000s. Despite navigating significant challenges, including the Ebola outbreak, four election cycles and the COVID-19 pandemic, AECI DRC has maintained its market leadership and continued to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s economic growth and mining development.
Looking ahead, AECI Mining Explosives plans to continue expanding its footprint in the DRC while investing in local talent and technologies suited to the country’s evolving mining sector.
As the DRC strengthens its position within global critical mineral supply chains, discussions at DRC Mining Week highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships and technical capability in supporting the industry’s development. For AECI Mining Explosives, the past 20 years have provided a strong foundation for the years ahead.
