Als erstes drehen die Rohstoffaktien kräftig

KINSHASA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Congo's recently-appointed government called on
Monday for the rapid completion of a delay-plagued review of mining contracts as
it seeks to combat waning confidence among investors.
      The mineral-rich central African nation set up the review process early
last year, aiming to overhaul 61 deals mostly agreed during the chaos of a
1998-2003 war, and guarantee a fair share of revenues for the state.
      The review was initially due to be completed within six months.
      "We have asked the Mines Minister to accelerate the process in order to
reassure our partners," Information Minister Lambert Mende told Reuters
following a cabinet meeting.
      "He assured us that it was nearly finished," Mende said.
      Earlier this month, Congo's central bank governor cited the lagging
process, along with weakening global demand for metals and a worsening armed
conflict in the eastern borderlands, as responsible for an acute mining sector
slowdown.
      Congo's mines ministry announced it had completed its initial review of
the deals in February and promised a "brief and open" appeal process to avoid
litigation and international arbitration.
      Of the 61 contracts, 14 are classed as "green" meaning acceptable, 26 are
"orange" which require agreement on some points, and 21 are "red" which face
cancellation.
      However, contract renegotiations between state miners and their private
partners have dragged on for months.
      Interest in Congo's once mighty mining sector had boomed following 2006