PeaceGold plans September gold exports from eastern Congo

PeaceGold, a social enterprise based in the United Kingdom, is preparing for its first exports of Gold from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by September. This initiative follows a period of significant regional instability that disrupted artisanal mining operations throughout the past year.

Founded in 2013 alongside the local Conflict Resolution Center, PeaceGold seeks to formalize the artisanal mining sector and reintegrate former combatants into the regulated workforce. The project, which has transitioned from a donor-supported model to a commercial enterprise, currently partners with 11 cooperatives in Ituri Province, representing nearly 25,000 workers.

The organization aims to provide a transparent alternative to the illicit trade that dominates the region. Reports indicate that more than half of the gold produced in the country is smuggled out annually. Security challenges persist, as the M23 rebellion—linked by the United Nations to support from Rwanda—recently seized territory in the east, forcing some cooperatives to halt work temporarily.

PeaceGold is currently finalizing regulatory approvals and setting up operational systems for its commercial launch. This includes securing financing from a British financial partner to fund gold purchases at the source. The project expects to reach an export volume of 50 kilograms per month by its third year, with a commitment to retaining 80% of the gold's value within the country to support local infrastructure and compliance.

Congo doesn't have a gold problem – it has a systems problem [and] we are trying to fix that.