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KINSHASA, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The Canadian head of Democratic Republic of Congo's state mining firm Gecamines has resigned, he said on Wednesday.
"It's a friendly resignation," Paul Fortin told Reuters. "I stepped down. I was at it for four years and it will take more time to sort things out, but I think it's time to pass on to a new chief."
Gecamines was once one of Congo's biggest mineral exporters, but barely functions as a mining operation after years of neglect and maladministration.
"I was appointed for 18 months, and I stayed for four years," Fortin said. "You chip away at the problems, but they are still there. We've made progress. I'm satisfied."
During his tenure, Canadian lawyer Fortin was credited with calming workers by paying back wages.
He also oversaw much of Gecamines' transition from non-functioning state miner to landholder joint venture partner in a period when many international resources firms invested in copper and cobalt mining in Congo.
His former deputy Calixte Mukassa will step in as acting chief executive while the government looks for a replacement. (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)