Three Chinese Nationals Arrested with Gold Bars and $800,000 in DR Congo

Three Chinese nationals have been arrested in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) after being found with 12 gold bars and $800,000 in cash hidden under the seats of their vehicle, officials have confirmed.

The operation, which took place in South Kivu province, was carried out secretly following concerns about a recent case where a group of Chinese nationals was released after being accused of running an illegal gold mine in the region.

According to Jean Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu, the operation was kept confidential due to fears that influential people in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, had connections to the illegal gold trade.

The men were arrested after a tip-off, and the gold and cash were discovered during a thorough search of the vehicle in the Walungu area, which is located near the border with Rwanda.

Though the exact amount of gold seized has not been disclosed, the discovery is significant in a region rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and minerals used in batteries for mobile phones and electric vehicles.

These resources have been exploited for decades by foreign groups, contributing to the region’s prolonged instability.

Conflict and Exploitation in Eastern DR Congo
Eastern DR Congo, particularly in South Kivu, has long been a hotspot for militia groups that control many of the region’s mines. These groups profit from the illegal sale of precious minerals, which often end up being smuggled to international markets.

This exploitation of resources is one of the key drivers of conflict in the region, which has been plagued by instability for over 30 years.

Purusi stated that some of the dealers in precious metals have cultivated close ties with influential figures in Kinshasa, which is why the latest arrests had to be conducted in secrecy.

Last month, Purusi had expressed his shock over the release of 17 Chinese nationals, who were arrested on suspicion of operating an illegal gold mine in the area. Despite owing $10 million in taxes and fines to the government, the group was allowed to return to China, a move that Purusi said undermined efforts to reform DR Congo’s corrupt and murky mineral sector.

The Role of Foreign Actors
The ongoing exploitation of DR Congo’s minerals has drawn international attention. Last month, the DR Congo government filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of using “blood minerals” sourced from conflict zones in the region. Apple responded by confirming it had stopped purchasing supplies from both DR Congo and neighboring Rwanda.

Rwanda has denied any involvement in facilitating the export of illegal minerals from DR Congo, despite evidence suggesting that minerals taken from conflict areas are often “laundered” through international supply chains.

The Congolese lawsuit alleges that this illegal mineral trade has funded armed militias and terrorist groups, fueled violence, and contributed to child labor and environmental destruction.

The recent arrests highlight the ongoing challenges faced by DR Congo as it attempts to regain control over its valuable mineral resources and combat the corruption and violence that has plagued the region for decades.