A Golden Mess: The Power Conflict Paralyzing the DRC In a country where gold is as abundant as mud, the Congolese people should be swimming in prosperity.

Unfortunately, power, bureaucracy, and indecisiveness continue to hamper our growth potential. The recent cacophony between the presidential decree and the provincial ministerial decision of Bukavu is living proof of this.

Lately, the DRC’s first gold refinery saw its inauguration postponed due to a withdrawal of operating authorization. The Ministry of Mines, led by Minister Antoinette N’Samba, withdrew the approval for the mining company Congo Gold Refinery, based in Bukavu, citing “non-compliance with social obligations”.