Title: The rise of artisanal gold exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Arab Emirates
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently had notable success in combating the illicit sale of artisanal gold. Indeed, the Congolese authorities are pleased to have succeeded in exporting 2 tons of this precious mineral to the United Arab Emirates in just six months. This achievement represents a record for the country, which strives to regulate the gold trade and put an end to its fraudulent exploitation. In this article, we will explore the details of this historic export, the mechanisms put in place to guarantee the traceability of the mineral and the challenges the DRC faces in this area.
The record for artisanal gold exports in the DRC:
Over the past few months, the DRC has managed to export 2 tons of artisanal gold from mines in the province of South Kivu to the United Arab Emirates. This achievement is all the more impressive as previously the country only managed to officially export 32 kilos of artisanal gold. This spectacular increase in exports testifies to the efforts made by the Congolese authorities to regulate the gold trade and fight against its fraudulent exploitation.
Traceability measures to combat illegal logging:
To ensure that the minerals purchased do not come from sites controlled by armed groups, the DRC has put in place rigorous traceability mechanisms. The Congolese-Emirati joint venture Primera Gold, responsible for exporting the ore, claims to control the sources and supply chains, by mapping and monitoring the mining sites according to their status. In addition, the banking of actors in the supply chain, such as traders and authorized buyers, allows for better traceability of transactions. These measures aim to ensure that the exported gold is legitimate and does not feed into illegal networks.
Persistent challenges for the DRC:
Despite this success in exporting artisanal gold, the DRC still faces several challenges to achieve a sustainable and regulated gold industry. First, the ideal would be to be able to refine and certify the gold locally, but this still requires significant effort. Moreover, although the Congolese authorities are delighted with the results obtained, certain voices from civil society point out that the traceability mechanisms remain limited. Indeed, the Congolese State only holds 45% of Primera Gold’s share capital, while the remaining 55% is held by the private company Primera Group, on behalf of the Emirati government. This raises questions about the transparency and the real impact of the export of artisanal gold on the economic development of the DRC.
Conclusion :
The export of 2 tons of artisanal gold from the DRC to the United Arab Emirates represents a major turning point in the fight against the illicit sale of this precious mineral. The Congolese authorities highlight traceability measures and the banking of actors in the supply chain to ensure the legitimacy of exports. However, challenges remain to achieve a sustainable and transparent gold industry in the DRC. It is essential to continue efforts to ensure that the exploitation of artisanal gold truly benefits the economic development of the country while respecting international standards of transparency and accountability.