The Memory of Mineral Extraction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
Honouring the memory of victims of conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Design Proposal (DP) aims to memorialize the victims of the ongoing conflict over minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where memorialization is often neglected by the government. The DP proposes the creation of a “Landscape of Memory” to both commemorate the ongoing conflict over minerals and raise awareness of the severe environmental impact caused by mineral extraction in the DRC. The memorialization process will involve conducting an ecological restoration study and a land reclamation analysis for areas that have been adversely affected by mining activities.
The “Landscape of Memory” will take the form of a route of remembrance, situated around the Shabara mine in Kolwezi, DRC. This route will include a moving exhibition, a garden of remembrance and a restorative park to honour the victims of the ongoing conflict and simultaneously shed light on the profound and destructive consequences of mineral extraction in the DRC.
The route of Remembrance will educate about conflict minerals, raise awareness, provide a place for remembrance, and propose solutions to reclaim destroyed landscapes in the DRC. This project advocates for the inclusion of both past and present events in the practice of memorialization.
