Geospatial Distribution and Sustainable Management of Construction Materials in Congo-Brazzaville: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

The Republic of the Congo holds significant geological potential in construction materials such as sand, gravel, clay, limestone, and hard rocks. However, their geospatial distribution, modes of extraction, and regulatory oversight remain insufficiently documented. This review consolidates existing literature and spatial datasets, with a focus on Brazzaville and its surrounding regions, to map the distribution of key resources and assess current extraction practices. Findings reveal concentrated deposits near major rivers and in the southern and eastern zones, where exploitation is predominantly artisanal and informal. Such unregulated practices result in considerable environmental degradation, including riverbank erosion, habitat fragmentation, and large-scale deforestation. In parallel, they generate complex socioeconomic challenges, notably land-use conflicts and the absence of formal labor protections within the informal mining sector. The study highlights critical gaps in geospatial data, institutional governance, and sustainable planning. It recommends the development of an interactive geological cadastre, formalization of artisanal mining, integration of GIS into territorial planning, and promotion of eco-friendly construction materials. These strategies are essential for aligning resource exploitation with environmental protection and inclusive urban development.