An initial agreement was struck in 2005 between Gécamines and Platmin Congo (a subsidiary of Copperbelt Minerals) to explore Deziwa.

[2] The bid was rejected by the Congolese government, who said the deal violated regulations.

After a certain number of years, ownership of the mine is set to revert to Gécamines.

The $800 million deal to set up the mine has been criticized as opaque by the UK-based NGO Global Witness.

[10] A 2021 report from the UK-based NGO RAID claimed regular violations of workers' rights at the mine.