Between January and early 2026, authorities estimate that nearly 60 kilograms of gold, worth several million dollars, were illegally transported to Rwanda through this network. The gold, extracted under coercive conditions in M23-controlled mining sites, was later sold on international markets through legitimate refining channels.

The move follows mounting evidence of systematic exploitation of the DRC’s mineral wealth by armed factions, with coltan and gold serving as primary revenue streams for militia operations.

Financial penalties target illicit mineral trade

In announcing the sanctions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized Washington’s commitment to disrupting funding channels for armed groups in Central Africa.

“The United States will not tolerate illegal armed factions profiting from the plunder of Congo’s natural resources to destabilize the region. The mineral wealth of the DRC rightfully belongs to the Congolese people.”

The sanctions freeze all assets held in the US by Gasabo Gold Refinery and Jean Malic Kalima. They also bar US individuals and entities from conducting business with the company or its director. Foreign firms using the dollar or with US-based subsidiaries could face secondary restrictions.

Eastern DRC’s mineral trade fuels ongoing conflict

Since its resurgence in late 2021, the M23 has seized control of key mineral-rich territories in North Kivu and South Kivu. These areas, abundant in gold, coltan, and cassiterite, provide the rebel group with substantial financial leverage. International observers, including the United Nations, have repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing military support to M23—a claim consistently denied by Kigali.

The M23 imposes heavy taxes on mining operations and mineral exports, generating millions in monthly revenue. In April 2024, the group captured Rubaya, the world’s third-largest coltan mine, which alone accounts for 15% of global coltan production. This strategic asset is essential for electronics manufacturing, linking the conflict directly to global supply chains.

Human rights groups warn that forced labor and violent extraction methods are rampant in these areas, with local populations suffering under the dual burden of militia control and economic exploitation.

Illicit coltan trade exposed

Recent investigations have uncovered a sophisticated smuggling network funneling Congolese coltan through Rwanda. According to independent audits, over 120 tons of coltan—worth hundreds of millions of dollars—were illegally exported monthly from M23-held zones between May and October 2024. The mineral was laundered through Rwandan refineries before being shipped to global markets, including suppliers for major tech manufacturers.

These revelations underscore the critical role of international actors in enabling the mineral trade that sustains armed conflicts. The US sanctions mark a decisive step toward holding complicit entities accountable and disrupting the financial lifelines of non-state armed groups.

The latest measures reflect growing international pressure to enforce ethical sourcing in mineral supply chains and curb the humanitarian crises fueled by resource exploitation in the Great Lakes region.