Gold exports in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been the subject of discussion and controversy lately. A recent article highlights the declarations of the Minister of Public Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, who refutes the allegations according to which the company Primera Gold would benefit from exclusivity in gold exports.
According to Minister Kazadi, Primera Gold is an initiative set up by the government to fight against the trafficking of minerals, in particular gold and coltan, which fuel the conflicts in the east of the country. He clarified that this is a joint venture between the DRC and Primera Gold, and not an exclusivity granted to a single company.
The Minister also wishes to clarify speculations concerning alleged major losses suffered by the Congolese State in this joint venture. He claims that the reports mentioning a sum of $20,000 as a loss are ridiculous, explaining that this sum corresponds to the minimum required to set up a limited company and has no direct link with the actual profits of Primera Gold.
Nicolas Kazadi points out that since the beginning of the year, Primera Gold’s exports have reached a value of 1.8 billion US dollars. He recalls that in 2022, only 26 kilos of gold had been exported, while this year, three tonnes of gold have already been exported, thus marking a marked increase in gold activities.
The minister insists on the commitment of the Congolese government, under the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi, to fight against mining fraud throughout the country, and particularly in the eastern provinces, which have been facing persistent insecurity for several decades .
This clarification provided by the Minister of Finance highlights the importance for the Congolese government to ensure transparency and legality in the gold export sector. The fight against mining fraud and the promotion of responsible mining are essential issues for the DRC, which aims to combat conflicts linked to the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
It is essential to continue to closely monitor developments in this situation and to encourage actions aimed at enhancing transparency and legality in the gold export sector in the DRC.
Links to articles mentioned:
– [Article 1: Alarming military presence in Lubutu: the living forces of Maniema are sounding the alarm](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/presence-militaire-alarmante-a-lubutu- the-forces-vives-of-maniema-sound-the-alarm-bell/)
– [Article 2: Vocational training in the DRC: the entrepreneurial potential of young Congolese to be exploited](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/formation-professionnelle-en-rdc-le-potential-entrepreneurial-des-jeunes-congolais-a-exploit/)
– [Article 3: Government policy in the DRC aims to support youth and women’s entrepreneurship and attract investment to diversify the country’s economy](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28 /government-policy-in-drc-aims-to-support-youth-and-women-entrepreneurship-and-attract-investments-to-diversify-the-country-economy/)
– [Article 4: The European Union sets up a humanitarian aid airlift to Goma to support displaced populations in eastern DRC](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28 /the-european-union-sets-up-a-humanitarian-air-bridge-to-goma-to-support-the-displaced-populations-in-eastern-drc/)
– [Article 5: The DRC strengthens its ties with the United States and inaugurates the House of Elections to promote the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/ the-drc-strengthens-its-ties-with-the-united-states-and-inaugurates-the-house-of-elections-to-promote-transparency-and-inclusiveness-of-the-electoral-process/)
– [Article 6: Humanitarian crisis in Masisi, DRC: hundreds of displaced people die of malnutrition and disease](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/crise-humanitaire-a-masisi-rdc- hundreds-of-displaced-are-dying-from-malnutrition-and-diseases/)
– [Article 7: Repression of opponents in the DRC: the government refutes HRW’s accusations](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/repression-des-opponents-en-rdc-le-gouvernement -denies-the-accusations-dhrw/)
– [Article 8: Governor of Kinshasa: the Court of Auditors calls for sanctions for notorious incompetence](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/08/28/gouverneur-de-kinshasa-la-cour-des- accounts-calls-for-sanctions-for-notorious-incompetence/)
– [Article 9: The House of Elections in Kinshasa, a place of exchange for enhanced democratic transparency](https://fatshimetrie