US Sanctions Rwandan Gold Mining Firm Over Illegal Congo Gold Smuggling

The United States government announced sanctions against the Rwandan company Gasabo Gold Refinery, accusing it of participating in an illegal network smuggling gold.

According to a statement from the US Department of State, Washington alleges that the company smuggled gold from areas controlled by rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Rwanda.

The sanctions also target the company’s chairman, Jean Malik Kalim, and its general manager, Bosco Kayobotsi, along with mining companies linked to Kalim: Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing, and Rwenkafu Mining Corporation. The State Department stated these entities and individuals contributed to funding conflict and the plundering of mineral resources in eastern DRC.

The US Treasury Department identified Gasabo Gold Refinery as a key partner with Rwandan officials and rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) in smuggling gold from eastern DRC.

The Treasury claims that the Rwandan army and M23 fighters controlled gold extraction from mines in South and North Kivu provinces, organizing the transport of gold across the border to Rwanda’s Rusizi area. From there, the gold was moved by land or air to the company’s facility in Kigali.

In early 2026, at least 60 kilograms of gold valued at millions of dollars were smuggled from eastern DRC to the refinery through this network, the department indicated.

Washington emphasized that the illicit trade in minerals enables M23 to purchase weapons and equipment, finance fighters’ activities, and continue violence against civilians.

The US Treasury also noted that the European Union had previously imposed sanctions on Gasabo Gold Refinery for its role in transporting illegally mined gold from DRC.

The sanctions freeze all assets of the designated individuals and companies within the United States and prohibit US persons and entities from engaging in transactions with them without specific authorization from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The situation in eastern DRC deteriorated after the M23 offensive, which in 2025 seized large areas including the administrative centers of North and South Kivu provinces, as well as the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, an allegation denied by Kigali.