Toiling for a Meager Wage

The price of gold has recently surged to unprecedented heights. However, those who extract gold in mines through grueling labor see little benefit from it. A Congolese company aims to make the trade more transparent.

It is dark and hot. Men squeeze through narrow tunnels supported by simple wooden beams. Gold mine workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have to crouch and crawl on all fours in places. They sweat profusely. Only the small light from their headlamps pierces the darkness.

The miners use basic tools, hammering and chiseling gold-bearing rock from the rock face or scraping it from the earth. They then carry the gold ore in heavy sacks on their shoulders out of the mine. It is backbreaking work.

“Sacrificing ourselves for work”

In the heart of Africa, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lies what everyone desires – gold. The precious metal here is very pure and therefore very valuable.

Justin is one of the mine workers in the small town of Luhihi. He wears a brown wool hat and dusty clothes. He appears desperate and angry at the same time. He wants to send a message to the country’s authorities that they should think of them. “We are the children of this country, and we are suffering. We sacrifice ourselves for work, but we find no one to help us.”

Business mainly profits rebel groups

Gold mines in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo generate immense wealth. However, the miners typically receive only a meager wage. The big profits are mainly reaped by militant rebel groups.

They control the gold mines, patrolling the premises in camouflage uniforms armed with machine guns and ammunition belts. In eastern Congo, there are believed to be more than 120 active armed groups securing a share of the abundant gold deposits to finance themselves.

Illegal gold reaches Germany

Observers suspect that most gold is smuggled to neighboring countries and then sold abroad. Through this illicit trade, gold makes its way to Europe illegally, including Germany. This results in the Congolese state losing millions in tax revenue.

On the other hand, there are representatives of state authorities who collude with rebels and profit from it. The origin of the gold is often difficult to trace due to forged certificates, making it challenging to track its source.

Company aims to enhance transparency in gold trade

For over a year, there has been a joint venture called “Primera Gold,” involving the Congolese government and the United Arab Emirates.

Benjamin Bisimwa works for the management of “Primera Gold.” He states that the primary objective is to make the gold trade more transparent. “The company’s goal is to contribute to the fight against fraud and smuggling.” So far, neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda have benefited the most.

According to their claims, “Primera Gold” also seeks to improve the situation of mine workers, such as offering health insurance. Critics, however, say not much progress has been made.

Furthermore, it is questionable whether the 45% ownership that the Democratic Republic of the Congo holds in the company will actually benefit the people in the long run – for schools, roads, hospitals, and the miners in the gold mines.