US Treasury Sanctions Rwandan Gold Refinery Over M23 Rebel Financial Links
The United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Kigali-based Gasabo Gold Refinery and its chairman for allegedly laundering conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Investigations revealed that the refinery processed over 60 kilograms of gold smuggled by the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency in early 2026. The illicit trade is cited as a primary driver of the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, funding sophisticated weapon systems including the CH-4 attack drones used by rebel forces.
Date: June 29, 2026
Location: Rwanda
Conflict: M23 Rebellion
Category: sanctions
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: MiningMX