Congolese state-owned mining companies – specifically Gecamines, Sokimo, Sakima, Miba and Sodimico – remain important players in the mining sector, controlling a significant number of mining permits and holding shares in several joint ventures. Since 2011, these state-owned companies have been at the centre of heated controversy following secret sales of some of their shares to offshore companies. This section brings together information on these sales as well as other documents on the role of these state-owned companies in the mining sector since independence.