Cooperative Mining and Agropastoral Cooperative Pambi

Emile Elasha (1968) is a Dutch businessman of Congolese origin. He was educated in mathematics/sciences at ETETE college in Djalo and studied architecture at the Institute of Buildings and Public Works in Kinshasa Gombe.

After his arrival and absorption in the  Netherlands, he studied solar and wind energy at the University of Enschede. He also took courses to learn about export procedures and practices. 

During his studies, he supported himself and his family by buying and selling exotic African products, including precious stones, in his hometown of Almelo.

After taking a diamond identification and gemology course in Amsterdam, he began traveling regularly to Congo. Deeply affected by the population's poverty, he sought a diamond mining concession. He aimed to develop humane and sustainable methods and plans to mine rough materials, including diamonds, and improve local agriculture and animal husbandry. 

In 2010, he founded the COOMIAP cooperative (Mining and Agropastoral Cooperative Pambi) in Kasaï Tchikapa. The NGO RESOLVE/DDI, which aims for artisanal diamond cooperatives to benefit local populations, advised him. In 2010, following a collaboration with 

the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), Emile moved to Belgium.

The traceability of diamonds and safety at work, without child labour, remains at the heart of Emile's concerns. He co-founded the OrigemA pilot project for fair and traceable diamonds and was appointed ambassador in 2023. 

Emile Elasha succeeded in strengthening the appreciation and confidence of the AWDC in six Congolese resource exploitation cooperatives (including COOMIAP). Thanks to Emile Elasha, these six cooperatives are now recognized internationally.

To ensure the chances of obtaining a diamond export license - essential for the launch of the OrigemA pilot project in the DR Congo - Elasha aims to relaunch his company ELAK DIAMOND so he can begin mining activities in the concessions of the public company MIBA (Société Minière de Bakwanga). Besides diamonds, Elak Diamond wants to mine and sell other raw materials (gold, cobalt, nickel/chromium, and copper) in the future. 

For Emile Elasha, it is a sine qua none that these economic activities must benefit the local populations. In 2016, he created the non-profit organization Elasha in Belgium to build schools in the villages of DR Congo, set up health clinics, and provide clean drinking water, electricity, roads, and so forth. 

 Since 2018, a committee for education and development in Luyamba has been active within the non-profit organization. Education and health constitute the basis of development. The Elasha non-profit association and COOMIAP are joining forces to achieve this objective. COOMIAP invests at least 20% of its income in the school project. 

Emile Elasha is married and the father of five children.