coupures 30 juin 07 (eng)

Congo fighter aircraft crashes after flypast
Published: Sunday, 1 July, 2007, 01:36 AM Doha Time

KINSHASA: A Congolese air force fighter plane crashed yesterday during an Independence Day display, killing the pilot, the UN peacekeeping force in Congo said.
The Sukhoi Su-25, a Soviet-designed single-seat fighter, had been flying in formation above a parade attended by President Joseph Kabila in the northeastern city of Kisangani before it lost control while coming in to land.
“When the plane took off, it was reported it had problems with one of its engines,” said Major Gabriel De Brosses, military spokesman for Congo’s 17,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It crashed at 11.56 local time (0956 GMT) next to the runway in Kisangani, probably due to an engine malfunction just after the ceremony. The pilot was killed,” he said. No one else was known to have been hurt.
It was the second Su-25 Congo had lost in less than a year, further weakening an air force that has only a handful of jets and attack helicopters. One disappeared during a routine rebasing operation in December, although no wreckage was ever found.
The vast mineral-rich central African nation is emerging from decades of mismanagement and a 1998-2003 war that cost an estimated 5mn lives, mainly through hunger and disease.
Security problems persist in Congo, despite a UN backed peace process capped by polls last year, in which Kabila became the country’s first democratically elected leader in more than four decades.
In an Independence Day address, Kabila said he was committed to pacifying Congo’s eastern Kivu provinces, where fighting between Rwandan Hutu rebels and Tutsi-dominated Congolese army brigades has raised fears of a return to war.
“No option will be neglected in order to bring peace back to the east of the country,” he said in a pre-recorded address broadcast yesterday on state-owned television.
Yesterday’s celebrations commemorated the 47th anniversary of Congo’s independence from Belgium. – Reuters

--------------------------------------------------------
Lion Selection Announces Investment in Congo
Tuesday July 3, 2007, 9:40 am

Original Announcement: Progress on New Investments and Management Responsibilities
Lion Selection advised that it has made a co-investment with African Lion in unlisted Copperbelt Minerals. Copperbelt is aggressively drilling at the Deziwa Copper-Cobalt Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lion has a $1.2m direct interest in Copperbelt or 1.8% and an indirect interest via its 18.6% ownership of African Lion 2 Limited ("AFL2"). AFL2 has a US$2.5m (4.7%) interest in Copperbelt. It is anticipated that drilling results will be available for release in the near future.
More information about LST.AX
-----------------------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: 'Civilians Bearing Brunt of South Kivu Violence'

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
2 July 2007
Posted to the web 2 July 2007
Nairobi
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern over abuses against civilians, especially women and children, in South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, saying it frequently receives reports of abductions, executions, rapes and pillage.
Announcing an operation on 2 July to help 15,000 people displaced by increased violence in the region, the ICRC said a large number of families had fled their homes in the region.
"The ICRC is particularly concerned about abuses committed by armed persons against the civilian population, usually women and children," said Patrick Walder, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Bukavu.
The displaced are in the locality of Kaniola, 60km east of the provincial capital, Bukavu.
"The operation has been made possible by a broader humanitarian effort coordinated between several large international organisations working in the country," the ICRC said in a statement. "That effort is covering the most urgent needs of 55,000 people affected by the violence."
To support medical facilities struggling to cope with the influx of internally displaced persons fleeing the violence, the ICRC is also providing Walungu and Kaniola hospitals with medical kits to treat the wounded, and other essential supplies.
The organisation said it would continue to monitor the security situation in the area and pursue its dialogue with the local civilian and military authorities.
"To this end it is maintaining a confidential dialogue with the relevant authorities about violations of international humanitarian law, while closely monitoring the situation of people displaced within the country," the ICRC said.
Clashes
On 22 June, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said attacks on civilians and clashes between Congolese and Rwandan rebels had hindered efforts to reach affected populations in eastern DRC.
The attacks were mainly perpetrated by the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, who fled their country after the 1994 genocide, and continue to clash with the Forces armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC).
The head of OCHA in South Kivu, Modido Traore, said the situation meant populations were constantly on the move. According to OCHA, attacks against civilians reached a peak in March. Some calm prevailed thereafter, but a new wave occurred in May.
One such attack left 18 dead in Nyalubuze, Muhungu and Cihamba, with 27 injured and four kidnapped. Leaflets were dropped giving warning of more trouble.
On 20 June, a 15-member UN Security Council visiting delegation called for increased efforts to end insecurity in the east.
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]
---------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: Kabila Calls for Regional Unity

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
30 June 2007
Posted to the web 2 July 2007
Ndola
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) President, Joseph Kabila, has called for strengthened regional integration, which is instrumental to the economic prosperity of Zambia and its neighbours.
Mr Kabila, who yesterday opened the 43rd Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola, said his country would support the private sector in Zambia and the DRC by removing trade barriers.
He said developing countries, like the DRC and Zambia, could no longer afford to be indifferent to the economic global evolution.
"Economic co-operation and integration is integral in meeting challenges that developing countries face and from my tour of the ZITF, it is clear that the Zambian business community is prepared to meet these challenges and consolidate the economy by putting the country on a path to development," he said.
He encouraged the private sector to overcome current barriers to trade by becoming catalysts in the economic evolution of the region.
"As the DRC gets back on its feet after instability, the country will need support from its neighbours for it to carry on economic reforms.
"The region has a role to play in helping us achieve our objectives so that we do away with under-development and poverty among our people," Mr Kabila said.
He also declared that his country would support Zambia, which takes on the mantle of the SADC chairmanship this year, saying Zambia "would in the DRC find a determined and willing partner."
He also thanked President Mwanawasa, the Zambian Government and Ndola residents for the warm welcome accorded to him and his entourage on arrival.
He then extended an invitation to his counterpart to reciprocate his visit by gracing the Kinshasa Trade Fair.
On his part, President Mwanawasa said the prevailing good commodity prices and huge investments that Zambia and DRC were currently receiving, gave the two countries an opportunity to improve their economies and welfare of the people.
"We must seize this opportunity. The mining region on both sides of our shared borders presents an opportunity to develop world class centres of mining excellence where our people can participate at all levels," he said.
The mining industry required a lot of expensive infrastructure support and the two countries had a lot of common ground to work together on.
"I am convinced that as Governments we can and need to do more to facilitate the expanding trade by easing the movement of goods and people, improving transportation and telecommunications while removing unnecessary regulations that chock the entrepreneurial energies of our people," he added.
Speaking at the same function, ZITF chairman Phesto Musonda said the ZITF had been recording an average of 11 per cent growth for the past four years managing to become a self-sustaining enterprise in the process.
He said this year's theme: "Economic growth through competitiveness" was a follow-up to last year's theme which focused on value addition to raw materials.
He hoped the theme would push local entrepreneurs to compete favourably on the foreign market.
-------------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: Rebuilding a University from Ashes of a War-Torn Country



American University of Kinshasa Foundation (Cambridge)
PRESS RELEASE
29 June 2007
Posted to the web 29 June 2007
Cambridge
In an increasingly global world, Americans are becoming more aware of their ties with people in ravaged countries like Sudan-Darfur, Afghanistan or Indonesia (tsunami). Another such nation is the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
People have been stirred to compassion at the bloodshed in the Congo. The war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts since the Second World War, according to UNICEF. Four million people were killed and the school system dismantled, including 'Université Franco-Américaine de Kinshasa'. Thanks to the UN, the war has ceased, and the Congolese have elected a government.
The immediate goal of Massachusetts' American University of Kinshasa Foundation, 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit, is to bring the classroom to life again. The Boston Globe (April 8, 2007) featured an article on "Bricks and Mortarboard" in the post-war Congo, highlighting the foundation's involvement. "You have a humanitarian imperative and a sense of urgency to assist the distressed Congolese people," the Globe quoted Dimandja Kasongo, President of the University and the Foundation's Chairman of the Board.
The university has a global vision of educating Africans and international students. MetroWest Daily News (March 1, 2007) also featured an article on "Building a Bridge to the Congo," by Jennifer Kavanaugh. "The university, based in the capital city of Kinshasa, would draw Americans and other foreigners who wanted to pursue African studies or learn about tropical medicine," MetroWest Daily News quoted Dimandja who worked as a higher education consultant for Harvard University. The university's vision is to serve as a bridge linking the Congo, the US, Canada and the international community.
This vision of exchanges with international universities is worthy of support, to paraphrase Dr. Greg Tucci, Co director of Harvard undergraduate studies, whose department donated lab equipment. The World Bank - UNESCO's Task Force on Higher Education wrote (02/2000), "Université Franco-Américaine de Kinshasa has pioneered in the Congo a credit-based system that allows students to program their courses around a work schedule." The foundation welcomes donations, tax-deductible, to raise $2.5 million in order to buy a classroom building, and support faculty and students in desperate need.
Rebuilding the Congo's education system after years of war is an emergency. "Supporting education is one of the best ways to address the causes of conflicts, poverty, and AIDS," said Dimandja, who headed the Department of Planning and General Control in the Congo railroads, and holds a 1986 Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. The university will honor donors and name facilities after contributors. "Bringing the university's classroom to life is an opportunity for the generous public, businesses, universities, religious organizations, opinion leaders and philanthropists to make history and build a meaningful bridge to the Congo," Dimandja advised.
http://www.auk-congo.edu
-----------------------------
African countries urged to remove visas


Africa has a lot to gain from its human resources if states remove visa requirements, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mwanananga Mawampanga has said.
Mawampanga was speaking during the 47 independence anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Harare on Saturday.
He said the abolishment of visas would promote trade and the free movement of people and services across the continent. "We should learn from the European Union," he said, "and pull down our barriers to encourage easy trade among our people."
He said other regional countries must emulate Zimbabwe and the DRC that did not require visas for its citizens. Such a development, he said, would enable the region to become a force to reckon with at the international stage.
"If we do so, the region will be able to speak with one voice and compete with other blocs on the market," he said.
Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Rueben Marumahoko said scrapping visas would further cement the cordial relations among most African countries.
He urged people from the DRC and Zimbabwe to take advantage of trade agreements signed between the two countries to boost trade.
"Despite the free movement of our people and the introduction of flights between our two countries, a lot of work needs to be done to increase trade," he said.
He said both countries and Africa at large had numerous untapped resources.
Source: Xinhua
------------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: New DDR Phase Three Programme for Ituri



United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
2 July 2007
Posted to the web 2 July 2007
Eoin Young
The DDR (Disarmamament, Demobilisation and Reinsertion) phase three programme for ex combatants in Ituri district, aimed at three main militia groups- the FNI, FRPI and MRC- is expected to commence next week. The project, which is supervised by the UNDP, also involves UNICEF, the Military Integration Structure (SMI), MONUC, the FARDC and DRC government authorities.
The US$2.5 project, which is funded by the UNDP in conjunction with Sweden, Ireland, USAID, Japan and Norway, will continue for just over three months, before the first evaluations will be made.
The first phase, which will involve the registering of an estimated 4,500 combatants from the three groups, as well as the subsequent handover of arms and the issue of disarmament certificates, is expected to commence next week.
The project calendar will also be strictly respected, with a non-negotiable "one man-one arm" ratio at disarmament, which was not the case in previous DDR programmes in the DRC.
The two transit sites at Bunia and Kpandroma, where the demobilization process will commence, will open before the end of July 2007. They will be installed and supervised by the UNDP in conjunction with the Congolese authorities, while MONUC and the FARDC (DRC Armed Forces) will supervise the disarmament process and provide general security.
As part of the demobilisation process, each combatant will receive an entry kit, humanitarian aid, sensitization and orientation sessions, a demobilization card, and finally an exit kit.
For those ex combatants opting to join the FARDC, they will be transported to Kisangani, to enter training before being redeployed to the new integrated brigades countrywide.
For those opting to return to civilian life, US$110 will be given for transport back to their places of origin, as well as a entry card into the Community Reconstruction Service, a programme run by the UNDP aimed at easing their transition back into civilian life.
UNDP estimates that 70% of the combatants will opt to rejoin civilian life, with the remaining 30% opting to retrain and join the new FARDC integrated brigades.
According to the project calendar, the transit sites will close after six weeks, and twenty days after their closure the "Community Reconstruction Service" programmes will begin in earnest.
The Community Reconstruction Service programme allows those reintegrating into their communites to work voluntarily on manaul labour projects (HIMO), such as the rehabilitation of roads, bridges, sanitary systems and schools in local communities in Ituri, with a payment of $2 per day, up to a maximum period of 90 days.
Project participants who wish to set up their own business or engage in other commercial activities will also have the opportunity to avail of the option of microfinancing, through local NGO's and with the assistance of UNDP.
Gustavo Gonzalez, UNDP post conflict advisor in the DRC, explained that the pilot project is based on a new approach that aims to benefit not just the individual combatants themselves, but also the local community, using a more holistic development approach.
"This pilot project aims to have a joint integrated response, using the lessons learned from previous DDR operations, with an expanded network of partners. If successful, The DRC government has expressed their wish to extend this programme to other armed groups in the country," he said.
"The most important thing to note is that CONADER -the national DDR programme- which had an original budget of $200 million, is now suspended. With this in mind, pilot programmes such as this one in Ituri are highly important to enhancing security and development," he added.
In parallel with this project, UNDP, in conjunction with the UK government's "DFID" development programme, have allocated a sum of US$9 million to the three FARDC integrated brigades in Bunia, Beni and Bukavu, with the principal aim or providing shelter assistance, as well as access to clean drinking water to the soldiers and their dependants.
This project aims to enhance the basic functioning and morale of the three FARDC brigades, with an overall goal of enhancing the security situation in these areas, where unfortunately the FARDC is one of the main causes of insecurity and harassment towards the local population
----------------------------------
Banro's preliminary economic assessment of Namoya Gold Project indicates annual production of 194,000 ounces at average cash costs of US$217 per ounce during first 5 years of operations
Tuesday July 3, 11:11 am ET
TORONTO, July 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Banro Corporation ("Banro" or the "Company") (AMEX - "BAA"; TSX - "BAA") is pleased to announce completion of its Preliminary Economic Assessment of its wholly-owned Namoya project, located on the Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the "DRC").
Highlights include

- Average annual production of 194,000 ounces of gold per annum during
initial 5 years of operations (average 165,000 ounces of gold per
annum over the currently defined 8 year mine life).
- Operating total cash costs of US$217 per ounce for the initial 5 year
mine life (average US$238 per ounce over 8 year mine life).
- Project post tax net present value ("NPV") of US$204 million based on
a 5% discount rate and a gold price of US$600 per ounce.
- Project post tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 37%, with a
2.3 year payback on project capital expenditures from the start of
production.
- Project net cash flow after tax and capital spending of
US$290 million.
The Preliminary Economic Assessment has been prepared with input from a number of independent consultants including SRK Consulting, Cardiff (mining and environmental), SGS Lakefield, Johannesburg (metallurgical testwork), Knight Piesold Ltd., Vancouver (power) and SENET, Johannesburg (processing and infrastructure). SENET also undertook the preliminary economic valuation and report compilation.
"The results of this Preliminary Economic Assessment, which highlight the robust economics of our Namoya project, are very encouraging," said Peter Cowley, Banro's President and CEO. "Namoya has the potential to generate significant cash flow based on its projected low cash operating costs. Our focus now is on further improving Namoya's economics by expanding the resource base, completing feasibility studies and moving Namoya along the development path and up the value curve.
"We are also finalizing the scoping study on our larger Twangiza project, which should be completed later this month."
Cautionary Statement:
The Preliminary Economic Assessment is preliminary in nature and includes
Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative
geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that
would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no
certainty that the conclusions reached in the Preliminary Economic
Assessment will be realized.
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability.

Namoya Project Overview
The Namoya project, which is 100% wholly-owned by Banro, is situated at the south-western end of the Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in Maniema Province of the eastern DRC and covers an area of 174 square kilometres. Exploration commenced in December 2004 and to date, 106 diamond drill holes have been completed together with extensive re-sampling of old mine adits along the 2.5 kilometre long, northwest trending mineralized zone which hosts the four main deposits of Mwendamboko, Kakula, Namoya Summit and Muviringu. Exploration is continuing to assess a number of other prospects on the Namoya project.
Mineral Resources
The Namoya project's attributed Mineral Resources (which are set out in the following table) have been derived from resource drilling and assays received before June 2007 and are as reported in the Company's press release dated June 8, 2007. These Mineral Resource estimates were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 based on information compiled by Banro's Mineral Resources Manager, Daniel Bansah, who is a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101.
Namoya Mineral Resources
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Inferred
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Au Ounces Tonnes Au Ounces
(g/t) (g/t)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxide 6,409,000 3.07 632,300 1,407,000 2.06 93,100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transitional 2,152,000 3.50 242,100 2,040,000 2.22 145,800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh rock 364,000 5.50 64,400 3,627,000 3.28 382,600
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 8,925,000 3.27 938,800 7,074,000 2.73 621,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Using a 1.0 g/t Au cut-off).

Mine Plan
SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. (Cardiff office) undertook a mine plan based on Banro's Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources delineated to date. Pit optimizations were undertaken on the four principal deposits at Namoya based on the following parameters:
Gold price: ............................................US$600 per ounce
Diesel fuel price: ........................................US$0.91/litre
Mining dilution: .......................................5% at zero grade
Mining recovery: ....................................................95%
Pit slopes: ......................................minus 40 to 50 degrees
Metallurgical recovery:..................................oxides (93.6%),
transitional (91.8%), fresh rock (91.4%)
The following Mineral Resources were estimated to be contained in an engineered pit design, optimum for the hydroelectric power alternative:
Namoya Open Pit Mineral Resources
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Au (g/t) Ounces Strip Ratio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxide 7,653,000 2.85 701,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transitional 2,854,000 3.08 283,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh Rock 502,000 3.36 54,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 11,009,000 2.93 1,038,000 5.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic open pit cut-off grades are estimated at 0.83 g/t Au for oxide, 0.95 g/t Au for the transitional and 1.09 g/t Au for the fresh rock ores.
In addition, the topography at Namoya is favourable for underground mining below the open pits. A Mineral Resource of 3,000,000 tonnes grading 3.54 g/t Au (equivalent to 341,400 ounces of gold) was estimated to be contained in underground stoping designs below the open pits.
Preliminary pit optimization studies were also determined for a diesel fuelled power alternative and resulted in estimated open pit mineable resources of 8,970,000 tonnes grading 3.28 g/t Au (equivalent to 947,000 ounces of gold) together with estimated underground mineable resources of 3,000,000 tonnes grading 3.54 g/t Au (equivalent to 341,400 ounces of gold ).
The mine schedule proposes the sequential mining of oxides, transitional and fresh rock ores from the open pits followed by underground mining. Underground mining of 1.0 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") of fresh rock is proposed to be extracted via a decline and existing adit using an open stoping mining method. Low grade stockpiles will also be processed during the mining and processing of the underground ores.
Processing
Metallurgical testwork, including recovery and comminution studies, has been completed for the oxide, transitional and fresh rock (sulphide) ore categories by SGS Lakefield in Johannesburg. These results indicated that excellent metallurgical recoveries, averaging 93.6% for oxides, 93% for the transitional and 92.6% for the fresh rock, could be achieved for the low to medium competency ores. Based on this testwork, SENET of Johannesburg scoped a conventional Gravity-CIL (carbon-in-leach) processing facility with annual throughput of 2.5 Mtpa for oxides, 2.0 Mtpa for transitional and 1.5 Mtpa of fresh rock and low grade stockpiles, resulting in a currently defined mine life of eight years.
Power
Studies have been undertaken using hydroelectric and diesel power sources for the project. Although capital costs are higher for the hydroelectric alternative, operating costs and subsequent project economics are better than a diesel powered generation alternative. Back up diesel power for essential processing plant equipment has been included in the project's capital cost. Knight Piesold Ltd. of Vancouver undertook studies on a number of potential hydroelectric sites along the Twangiza-Namoya belt. Follow-up site investigations including the installation of flow gauges and detailed hydrology studies are ongoing. The hydroelectric power scheme also has the potential to obtain carbon credits that could reduce capital costs for this power alternative.
Capital Costs and Infrastructure
The following table summarizes expected capital costs for the Namoya project estimated by the independent consultants and include preliminary discussions with equipment providers, and also knowledge gained from current projects in Africa.
Costs currently assume an owner operated mining fleet. Additionally, an assumption is made that a dedicated hydro-electric facility would be developed by Banro utilizing one of the sites selected by the Company's consultant hydrologist, Knight Piesold Ltd.
Namoya Project Capital Costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mining US$ million
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plant & Equipment 29.91
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haul Roads 1.81
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prestrip 5.99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 1.25
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Process Plant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earthworks and Civil 6.43
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mechanical, Structural & Piping 27.56
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electrical & Instrumentation 3.91
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tailings Dam 3.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 9.26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infrastructure
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Plant (hydro electric power) 31.77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings and Accommodation Facilities 5.29
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access Roads 7.09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicles and Mobile Plant 2.12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 7.56
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner's Costs 4.24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other (EPCM, transport, working capital) 18.18
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contingency 21.18
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Project Initial Capital Costs 186.55
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ongoing Capital 27.48
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Costs

The following operating costs were estimated and incorporated into the
financial analysis:


Open Pit Total Operating Costs
------------------------------

-------------------------------------------
Ore Tonne Ore Tonne
-------------------------------------------
(US$/tonne) (US$/ounce)
-------------------------------------------
Mining 10.25 116.38
-------------------------------------------
Processing 5.45 61.92
-------------------------------------------
G & A 3.24 36.74
-------------------------------------------
Refining 0.18 2.07
-------------------------------------------
Total 19.12 217.11
-------------------------------------------


Life of Mine Total Operating Costs
----------------------------------

------------------------------------------
Ore Tonne Ore Tonne
-------------------------------------------
(US$/tonne) (US$/ounce)
-------------------------------------------
Mining 10.19 119.73
-------------------------------------------
Processing 6.23 73.26
-------------------------------------------
G & A 3.68 43.18
-------------------------------------------
Refining 0.18 2.07
-------------------------------------------
Total 20.36 238.24
-------------------------------------------
The estimated total open pit mine operating cost of US$10.25 per tonne of ore is equivalent to US$1.28 per tonne of material moved. The preliminary underground mining study estimated underground mining costs of US$15.49 per tonne of ore.
Project Economics and Financial Analysis
SENET has produced a cash flow valuation model for the Namoya project based upon the geological and engineering work completed to date and incorporating the hydroelectric power source. The financial model also reflects the favourable fiscal aspects of the Mining Convention governing the Namoya project, which include 100% equity interest and a 10 year tax holiday from the start of production. An administrative tax of 5% for the importation of plant, machinery and consumables has been included in the projected capital and operating costs. The Base Case was developed using a long-term gold price of US$600 per ounce.
Calculated sensitivities show the significant upside leverage to gold prices and robust nature of the projected economics to operating assumptions.
Gold Price Senstivities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Price IRR NPV (US$ M)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
US$/oz (%) 0% 5% 10%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
550 30% 224 151 100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
600 37% 290 204 142
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
650 45% 356 256 185
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Senstivities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ 10% 32% 269 184 124
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 10% 44% 312 224 161
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ 10% 34% 259 179 123
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- 10% 40% 321 228 161
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above financial analysis does not take into account ongoing exploration, feasibility, financing or interest costs.
Project economics were also run for the diesel power alternative. This resulted in the following:
- Average annual production of 198,000 ounces of gold per annum during
initial 5 years of operations (average 175,000 ounces of gold per
annum over 7 year mine life).
- Operating cash costs of US$ 265/oz for the initial 5 years (average
US$286/oz over 7 year mine life).
- Project NPV of US$145 million based on a 5% discount rate and gold
price of US$600 per ounce.
- Project IRR of 41% with a 1.6 year payback on project capital
expenditures from the start of production.
- Project net cash flow after tax and capital spending of
US$197 million.

Accessibility and Transport
SENET has undertaken preliminary analysis of access routes to the Namoya project for plant and equipment as well as ongoing production materials and consumables. Access to site is available predominantly by rail from Dar es Salaam on the coast in Tanzania or via road from Mombassa in Kenya. The national road (N2) running from Bukavu to Kasongo will pass within approximately 30 km of the project. This road is currently being upgraded through a World Bank initiative.
Environmental and Social Aspects
SRK Consulting is implementing a pre-feasibility, environmental base line study at Namoya which will include ecological, hydrological and socio-economic assessments. There are a number of settlements in and around the mine project area that could provide labour for the operation.
Project Opportunities
Banro is actively pursuing a number of alternatives for enhancing and increasing the economics and financial returns relating to the Namoya project. These include delineating additional resources at Namoya within economic hauling distances and also targeting new near surface prospects that would allow deferral of underground mining to much later in the mine life.
The regional exploration potential is encouraging. The property was recently covered by a helicopter borne magnetic & radiometric survey, which is being analyzed and anomalies will be tested later in the year.
Development Timetable
Banro is currently working toward completion of a formal pre-feasibility study in the fall of 2007. This will largely involve the inclusion of a further resource update, pit optimization and engineering studies including the incorporation of further metallurgical and geotechnical investigations. Banro has also initiated baseline environmental studies.
It is expected that the pre-feasibility work will progress directly to a definitive, full feasibility study in the later part of 2007, with completion targeted for the second half of 2008. During this period, Banro will initiate discussions with potential project finance lenders, including both multilateral agencies and commercial banks.
Full details of the Preliminary Economic Assessment in the form of a National Instrument 43-101 technical report will be filed on SEDAR within the next 45 days.
Additional information with respect to the Namoya project is contained in the technical report of Michael B. Skead (who is the Company's Vice President, Exploration and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101) dated March 30, 2007, and entitled "Third NI 43-101 Technical Report, Namoya Project, Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo." A copy of this report can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Qualified Person
----------------
The Preliminary Economic Assessment was prepared under the supervision of James Hollywood, Managing Director of SENET and a "qualified person", as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hollywood has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.
Banro is a Canadian-based gold exploration company focused on the development of four major, wholly-owned gold projects along the 210 kilometre-long Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the South Kivu and Maniema provinces of the DRC. Led by a proven management team with extensive gold and African experience, Banro's strategy is to unlock shareholder value by increasing and developing its significant gold assets in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
---------------------------------
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Certain terms are used by the Company, such as "measured", "indicated", and "inferred" "resources", that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Form 40-F Registration Statement, File # 001-32399, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
-----------------------------------------------------
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding estimates and/or assumptions in respect of production, revenue, cash flow and costs, estimated Namoya project economics, mineral resource estimates, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and the Company's exploration and development plans and objectives with respect to its Namoya project) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, production estimates and estimated economic return; the possibility that actual circumstances will differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the Namoya Preliminary Economic Assessment and mine plan; failure to establish estimated mineral resources; fluctuations in gold prices and currency exchange rates; inflation; gold recoveries for Namoya being less than those indicated by the metallurgical testwork carried out to date (there can be no assurance that gold recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production); changes in equity markets; political developments in the DRC; changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual information form dated March 30, 2007 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Cautionary Note Concerning Resource Estimates
---------------------------------------------
The mineral resource figures referred to in this press release are estimates and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of gold will be produced. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the Company believes that the resource estimates included in this press release are well established, by their nature resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to inferred mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to allow meaningful application of the technical and economic parameters to enable an evaluation of economic viability worthy of public disclosure, except in the case of the Preliminary Economic Assessment. Inferred mineral resources are excluded from estimates forming the basis of a feasibility study.


________________________________________
Source: Banro Corporation
---------------------------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: La loi sur l'Opposition, risque des dérapages à éviter



La Prospérité (Kinshasa)
3 Juillet 2007
Publié sur le web le 3 Juillet 2007
Kinshasa
L'opposition se définit, de façon très sommaire, comme étant une famille politique qui s'engage à attendre son tour pour gouverner, après avoir perdu une élection.
Le mot est français. Aucun dictionnaire français ne lui a changé de définition. Mais nous en RD Congo, avec des spécialistes dans tous les domaines de la vie, inventons tout sauf rien pour sauver le pays en dérive, toujours classé dernier chaque fois que la communauté internationale dresse sa liste des pays qui comptent.
Pour ne parler que de cette loi sur l'organisation de l'opposition, qui demeure une initiative louable mais qui risque aussi de tout fausser.
Son article 22 évoque l'éventualité d'un coordonnateur qui intègre le gouvernement. Bon Dieu, où a-t-on vu cela, nous qui ne faisons que copier. Là où l'on parle de l'opposition démocratique, c'est clair comme de l'eau de roche, toutes les tranches d'âge le savent : ceux qui sont dans l'opposition font tout, par des mécanismes mis en place, pour remplacer la formation qui gouverne. Si on doit intégrer le pouvoir, il va de soi qu'on cesse de se dire Opposition. Et puis, dans un tel cas, chez nous, va-t-on cacher à notre peuple ou lui dire la vérité, que le coordonnateur est entré au gouvernement par quelle magie, si on a un peu de respect pour cet électorat. La nouvelle définition du mot Opposition ne viendra pas de Kinshasa, si l'on tient à lui en donner une.
Comme on peut s'en rendre compte, les sénateurs n'ont aucun intérêt à expédier rapidement le texte sous examen. Qu'ils veuillent bien prendre tout le temps que pourra prendre l'examen du projet de loi, afin de faire signer par le Chef de l'Etat un texte cohérent, pour que nous cessions d'être ni au centre, ni à gauche, ni à droite. On risque de continuer à ne se retrouver nulle part. Comme hier. Or le changement que notre peuple attend c'est pour être compté parmi les meilleurs. En bien, cela s'entend. N'ayons pas peur des mots. Que va devenir en fait de compte une telle opposition qui intègre le pouvoir qu'elle avait combattu il n'y a pas longtemps ? Opposition au rabais. Vrai ou faux ? Chacun cherchera désormais à aller à l'élection présidentielle pour se retrouver ne fut ce que second au deuxième tour, et mériter le trône de coordonnateur de l'opposition. Si nous ne prenons garde, nos parlementaires risquent de changer de fond en comble les termes de référence de ce mot, dans quel intérêt. La question demeure posée.
-----------------------------------------
Congo-Kinshasa: Workshop On Poverty Reduction in Mbandaka

United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
3 July 2007
Posted to the web 3 July 2007
Alain Likota
In Mbandaka, Equateur province, nearly 60 people took part in a workshop on the Strategy Document for the Reduction of Poverty (DSCRP) on 27 and 28 June, 2007. The two day workshop was organised by the provincial Minister for planning and budgetary affairs, in collaboration with MONUC's Civil Affairs division.
Different agencies and organization took part in the two day workshop, including the Provincial Parliament, civil society, trade unions, United Nations agencies and the media.
Professor Bolombo, Provincial Minister for planning and budgetary affairs, noted that Equateur abounds in great natural resources, but "paradoxically, it is amongst the poorest in the country."
Professor Bolombo explained the collapse of sanitary services, the deterioration and dilapidation of communications and transport infrastructure, the difficult access to drinking water and electricity, discrimination against women and children and the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's), notably HIV/Aids.
But he said the list was not exhaustive. "For great challenges, one needs large remedies," he said.
For Professor Bolombo, the DSCRP constitutes the remedy par excellence. This workshop comes thus at the right moment, a few weeks after the presentation, by the Provincial Parliament, of the programme of government for Equateur province, which makes the reduction of poverty its main priority.
MONUC Equateur office representative Mr. Fofana Koutoubou said that the DSCRP is an indispensable tool and reference document for sustainable development of the DRC in general, and for Equateur province in particular.
"This workshop makes a point of popularising this invaluable document, which shows the state of affairs in the province, and its difficulties. It will make it possible to see the strategies that need to be adopted to accompany the civilian population, so that we can move forward and thus reduce poverty," he said.
Mr. Koutoubou went on to say that MONUC supports the efforts of the national actors (Authorities and civil society) in the search for solutions to the problems relating to the economic revival of Equateur.
The various talks which followed related to good governance in the implementation of projects and programmes, the state of affairs and role of civil society in the province, society partnerships and state institutions.
Various different workgroups and debates which followed then made it possible to deepen the thinking and share ideas on poverty reduction.
----------------------------------------
Brazil's High Resolution Technology to Map Congo Basin for Oil
By Franz Wild
July 3 (Bloomberg) -- High Resolution Technology Petroleum, a Brazilian geological surveyor, will begin mapping an uncharted area in the Democratic Republic of Congo that may have oil deposits, Hydrocarbons Minister Lambert Mende said.
The Rio de Janeiro-based company is conducting preliminary analysis on three of 26 blocks in the Cuvette Centrale basin, an 800,000-square-kilometer (308,882-square-mile) area of tropical rainforest in the center of the country, Mende said yesterday in an interview in the capital, Kinshasa. Initial estimates provided by HRT suggest there may be 10 billion barrels of light crude in the basin, he said.
``HRT will take one year to do their work,'' Mende said. ``After that we'll open it up for exploration.''
Congo's first democratic government in more than four decades is trying to rebuild an economy shattered by two civil wars between 1996 and 2003 that left 4 million people dead. It's also trying to diversify its economy away from metals such as copper and cobalt, of which it has some of the world's biggest deposits.
HRT will receive 30 percent of the $50,000 potential investors will have to pay to look at the data obtained from its survey, Mende said.
``After companies have done their research and want to start producing, half the block will go back to the government, so we can sell it on,'' he said.
Soco International Plc, an oil explorer in Africa and Asia, said last month it is seeking an agreement with the Congolese government to spend $50 million to map the basin in exchange for exploration permits in the area.
``We are still hoping our offer will be accepted for the remaining blocks,'' Jose Sangwa, deputy director of Soco's Congolese operations, said in an interview today. ``It will certainly be less than the $50 million. We don't think HRT can do all 26 of the blocks.''
No one answered the phone at HRT's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro today when Bloomberg News called today seeking comment.
To contact the reporters on this story: Franz Wild in Kinshasa via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 3, 2007 06:06 EDT