DRC Launches First Pilot Gold Refinery in Kalemie

Kalemie, March 22, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo has inaugurated its first pilot gold refinery, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to process its mineral resources locally. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, March 11, with the attendance of key government officials, including the Minister of Planning, Guylain Nyembo, Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, and Minister of State Portfolio, Julie Shiku, alongside the Governor of Tanganyika Province and representatives of DRC Gold Trading S.A.

Named DRC Gold Refinery S.A., the facility has a production capacity of 500-600 kilograms of gold per month and manages the full value chain, from purchasing raw gold to refining and producing ingots. The refinery represents a strategic partnership between the state-owned DRC Gold Trading S.A. and Lunga Mining.

At the launch, the Minister of Mines emphasized that the refinery is a key step in President Félix Tshisekedi’s vision to transform the country’s natural resources into engines of economic development and national sovereignty.

“For the first time, the DRC can refine its own strategic minerals, ensuring fair prices and transparent conditions for artisanal miners, trading posts, and small to medium mining operations,” the minister said.

The refinery aims to produce gold with 99.9% purity, positioning the country as a competitive exporter of refined gold while creating local added value. Authorities also urged those involved in gold fraud or smuggling to use official channels established by the state through DRC Gold Trading S.A.

This initiative forms part of a broader reform of the Congolese gold sector, emphasizing transparency, traceability, and local processing, with the goal of ensuring that the nation fully benefits from its mineral wealth.