DAKAR (Reuters) - Congo's Supreme Court has rejected claims by a Glencore (L:GLEN) unit that a commercial court is not competent to hear a petition to dissolve it brought by state miner Gecamines, a Gecamines lawyer said on Friday.
Gecamines is seeking to dissolve Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), blaming majority-owner Glencore for high debts that have weighed on the joint venture with Gecamines for more than 10 years. [nL8N1S12V4]
Democratic Republic of Congo's Supreme Court suspended proceedings before the commercial court in the southeastern city of Kolwezi early last month after KCC challenged the competency of the lower court. [nL8N1SF6IY]
"The competency of the commercial court is confirmed," Roger Masamba, a lawyer representing Gecamines in the case, told Reuters. He said the next court date in Kolwezi had not yet been set.
A Glencore spokesman declined to comment.