The Democratic Republic of Congo inaugurated a pilot gold refinery in Kalemie, Tanganyika Province, on Wednesday. With an annual capacity of seven tonnes, DRC Refinery marks a strategic milestone in the country’s policy of local resource valorization.
A Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure
DRC Refinery is the result of a partnership between the Congolese State, represented by its subsidiary DRC Gold Trading SA, and the private company Lunga Mining. The facility handles the entire processing chain: purchasing raw ore, refining, and producing certified gold bars.
The inauguration was attended by three government members, reflecting the importance Congolese authorities place on the project.
Ending Raw Gold Exports
During the ceremony, Joseph Kazibaziba, CEO of DRC Gold Trading SA, emphasized that the project aligns with the Head of State’s vision of locally transforming natural resources before commercialization.
“The export of Congolese raw gold will soon be over,” he stated, confirming Kinshasa’s determination to regain control over the value chain in the gold sector.
More Refineries in the Pipeline
Joseph Kazibaziba also announced that additional refining units will soon be commissioned in Kisangani, Kindu, and the Kasaï region — three significant gold-producing areas in the DRC.
This territorial deployment strategy aims to bring processing infrastructure closer to extraction zones, thereby limiting informal circuits and strengthening traceability of Congolese gold.
A Sector Dominated by Informal Exports
The DRC produces several dozen tonnes of gold annually, mainly from artisanal and small-scale mining. A large portion of this production leaves the country in raw form, often through parallel circuits, depriving the State of tax revenues and control over the metal’s final destination.
The inauguration of DRC Refinery in Kalemie thus sends a strong signal: Kinshasa now intends to structure the sector, add local value to the resource, and maximize economic returns from its gold.