
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently exported 2 tons of artisanal gold to the United Arab Emirates, marking a victory in the fight against mining smuggling. Thanks to a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates, the funds are now repatriated into the Congolese banking circuit, improving the transparency of transactions. Artisanal mines in the province of South Kivu have been the main source of exported gold, ending the practice of illegal appropriation of mineral resources by neighboring countries. Although there are criticisms of the Emirati government’s involvement in the company responsible for the exports, the company says it excludes minerals from sites under the control of armed groups. The next step for the DRC is to develop gold refining capacity locally and certify the ore locally, but this remains a long-term goal. Artisanal gold exports mark a turning point in the valorization of Congolese natural resources in a transparent and responsible manner.