Three Chinese nationals have been apprehended in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 12 gold bars and a staggering $800,000 (approximately £650,000) in cash, local authorities reported.
The arrests took place in the Walungu area, near the border with Rwanda, following a tip-off that led to a thorough search of the suspects’ vehicle.
Jean Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu province, disclosed that the gold and cash were ingeniously concealed under the vehicle’s seats.
He noted that the operation had been conducted discreetly due to the recent release of a group of 17 Chinese nationals accused of illegal gold mining in the region—an incident that raised concerns over the integrity of efforts to regulate DRC’s mineral sector.
Eastern DRC is rich in natural resources, housing vast reserves of gold, diamonds, and minerals essential for mobile phones and electric vehicles.
Unfortunately, these riches have long been exploited by foreign entities and militia groups, leading to decades of instability in the region. Local militia leaders profit from the sale of these minerals to intermediary dealers, some of whom reportedly maintain connections with influential figures in the capital, Kinshasa.
Governor Purusi expressed his shock at the earlier release of the Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining, emphasizing that they owed the government $10 million in taxes and fines. The embassy of China has yet to comment publicly on the recent arrests.
The Congolese government is also taking action against major tech companies, including a lawsuit against Apple over the use of “blood minerals” that perpetuate violence and human rights abuses in the region.
