The United States Treasury Department has blacklisted Gasabo Gold Refinery and its director, Jean Malic Kalima, for their alleged role in purchasing, transporting, and refining gold illegally extracted from the eastern DRC. Investigations reveal that the operation involved close cooperation with Rwandan officials and M23 rebels, who secured the movement of gold from conflict zones near Bukavu to Kigali, where it was processed.
“In early 2026 alone, approximately 60 kilograms of gold—worth millions—were smuggled from eastern DRC to Gasabo Gold Refinery,” stated a Treasury spokesperson. The department emphasized that such illicit mineral trade directly fuels armed groups, undermining regional stability and violating Congo’s sovereign rights over its natural resources.
Financial lifeline for the M23 rebellion
The M23, a powerful rebel faction active in eastern DRC since late 2021, has expanded its control over key mining territories, including Rubaya—a critical hub producing 15% of the world’s coltan supply. Reports indicate that the group imposes heavy taxes on mineral extraction and trade, generating significant revenue to sustain its operations. Between May and October 2024, UN experts documented around 120 tons of coltan being exported monthly from eastern DRC to Rwanda, much of it allegedly under M23’s control.
Investigations also highlight the role of international supply chains, with coltan and other conflict minerals being laundered through Rwandan refineries before reaching global electronics manufacturers. Global Witness warned in a recent report that hundreds of tons of coltan have been illegally mined and exported from eastern DRC in this manner.
US sanctions block financial flows
The sanctions freeze all assets held by Gasabo Gold Refinery and Jean Malic Kalima within US jurisdiction. American individuals and corporations are barred from conducting business with them, while foreign entities using US financial systems or subsidiaries in the US are also prohibited from engaging in transactions. The move underscores Washington’s commitment to disrupting revenue streams that sustain armed conflict in central Africa.
“The mineral wealth of the DRC belongs to the Congolese people, not to warlords or rebel groups,” stressed a senior Treasury official. These sanctions send a clear message: the United States will not tolerate the exploitation of illegal mining to destabilize the region.”
