Chinese nationals were arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after authorities discovered they were in possession of gold bars and $800,000 in cash.
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It is unclear exactly how much gold was seized (file photo). |
Three Chinese nationals were detained in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo after authorities discovered 12 gold bars and $800,000 (£650,000) in cash hidden inside their vehicle. The South Kivu province governor, Jean Jacques Purusi, reported that the authorities found the items concealed beneath the seats.
Purusi also stated that the arrest operation was kept confidential following the release of another group of Chinese nationals previously accused of running an illegal gold mine in the area.
The eastern part of DR Congo is known for its rich deposits of gold, diamonds, and essential minerals used in the production of batteries for electronics and electric vehicles.
The mineral wealth of eastern DR Congo has been exploited by foreign entities since the colonial era, contributing to the region's long-standing instability over the past 30 years. Militia groups control many of the mines, profiting by selling the minerals to middlemen.
Governor Jean Jacques Purusi revealed that some of these middlemen maintain strong connections with influential figures in the capital, Kinshasa, which made it necessary to keep the recent arrest operation confidential. Acting on a tip-off, the authorities discovered the gold and cash only after conducting a thorough search of the vehicle in the Walungu area, near the Rwanda border. The exact amount of gold seized was not disclosed.
Last month, Purusi expressed his shock over the release of 17 Chinese nationals who had been arrested for operating an illegal gold mine. Despite owing $10 million in taxes and fines, they were allowed to return to China, which Purusi said undermined efforts to clean up the mineral sector. The Chinese embassy has not commented on the matter.
The arrests come amid ongoing fighting in North Kivu province, where a Rwanda-backed rebel group has taken control of several areas. DR Congo recently filed a lawsuit against Apple for allegedly using "blood minerals," claiming that minerals from conflict zones were laundered through international supply chains. Apple responded by ceasing its mineral supply from DR Congo and neighboring Rwanda.
Rwanda has denied facilitating the illegal export of minerals from DR Congo. The Congolese government’s lawsuit also accused the mineral trade of funding militias and terrorist groups, leading to violence, forced child labor, and environmental damage.
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