12 recommendations to put an end to gold smuggling in the DRC

IMPACT, an organization that works in the diligence in the exploitation of natural resources, has just published, during this month of September 2020, a report on the smuggling in the trade of gold from artisanal mining in the DRC . According to this report, between 15 and 22 tonnes of artisanal gold, no less than 98% of Congolese artisanal gold, is smuggled out of the DRC.

In 2019, the production of artisanal gold in the DRC was estimated at only 333.39 kg against 33,419.04 kg for gold from industrial companies.

Everyone is involved in this illicit trade, the local authorities, the diggers, the traders, the armed groups, the customs officers of Rwanda and Uganda as well as the Congolese customs.

To reverse this trend of smuggling in the gold trade to bring it into the legal circuit, IMPACT makes 12 recommendations to the DRC government:

• Investigate individuals and entities who have been cited in several reports and hold accountable those who have so far appeared to act with impunity;

 • Revoke or refuse to renew any trade or export permit to persons and companies linked to the illicit trade in gold;

 • Publish online and share information regarding delisted individuals and companies engaged in the illicit gold trade with counterparts in other countries, organizations and industry players;

 • Ensure that any new applications for permits to trade or export minerals made by individuals and companies contain information about their background and beneficial ownership, showing connections to actors known to engage in the illicit trade ;

 • Review, in collaboration with the competent provincial authorities, all taxes and duties associated with the trade and export of artisanal gold so as to harmonize them across the provinces and the country;

 • Simplify the steps to follow to export gold so that they are clear and not too heavy;

 • Ensure that all gold exports are subject to appropriate export procedures and accompanied by required export permits, customs clearance documents, official receipts and ICGLR certificates;

 • Foster the collaboration of State services at borders and customs posts in order to strengthen the exchange of information and reduce smuggling;

 • Speed ​​up the validation process of artisanal gold mining sites across the country, ensuring its viability in terms of costs and frequency of visits to each site;

 • Simplify the current site validation process by calling on qualified mining inspectors in low-risk locations and joint validation missions in high-risk areas;

 • Support the organization Service for Assistance and Supervision of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mines (SAEMAPE) in carrying out its mandate, in particular by offering improved training to mine site agents;

 • Strictly enforce laws on money laundering and foreign exchange, in accordance with standards established by the Financial Action Task Force;

 • Ensure that any request for the construction of a gold refinery in the DRC complies with national legislation, including full application of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

IMPACT works to transform the management of natural resources in areas where security and human rights are threatened. This organization analyzes and designs natural resource management approaches from a triple perspective of strengthening security, development and equality.