[2] The combined Dikuluwe and Mashamba West deposits are now run by La Sino-Congolaise des Mines SA (Sicomines), a joint venture majority owned by a Chinese consortium, with Gécamines holding a minority stake.
On September 17, 2007 a memorandum of understanding was drawn up between a Chinese consortium headed by China Railway and the Congolese state, represented by Pierre Lumbi.
[5] In February 2008 Katanga Mining signed an agreement where the Mashamba West and Dikuluwe deposits were transferred to the state-owned Gécamines.
[10] In early 2012, the China Exim Bank pulled out as a financier of the deals, taking over the Congolese stake and forcing the Chinese side to mortgage their interest in the mine until $1 billion of already disbursed loans were repaid.
[11] Production at the mines resumed in 2015, but the project was forced to reduce its planned output due to a lack of available electricity.