BTA Admin A new partnership between a UK-based responsible gold sourcing company and a Congolese trading firm could help formalize one of Africa’s largest artisanal mining sectors, creating new opportunities for thousands of miners while improving access to global markets.
SigraFi Ltd has signed a long-term supply and financing agreement with PeaceGold Trading Company, a move designed to expand the export of fully traceable gold from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and strengthen responsible mining practices in a region long associated with informal extraction and supply chain challenges.
The agreement comes at a time when global demand for ethically sourced minerals is rising, driven by tighter regulations, investor scrutiny, and growing pressure on companies to ensure transparency across their supply chains.
Bringing More Miners Into the Formal Economy
Artisanal and small-scale mining remains one of the most important sources of income in the DRC, employing an estimated two million people and supporting millions more through related economic activities.
Yet much of the sector continues to operate outside formal markets, limiting miners’ access to financing, international buyers, and fair pricing mechanisms.
Under the new arrangement, SigraFi will provide structured working capital and logistical support to mining cooperatives in exchange for future gold deliveries. The financing is expected to help miners gain access to compliant export channels, strengthen operational standards, and establish direct relationships with accredited international refineries.
Industry observers say access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers preventing artisanal miners from transitioning into formal supply chains.
A Decade-Long Effort to Clean Up Gold Supply Chains
The partnership builds on more than ten years of work by PeaceGold, an initiative founded by ethical jewellery pioneer Greg Valerio in collaboration with peacebuilding organizations including Peace Direct and Centre Résolution Conflits.
The organization has focused on helping mining communities legalize operations, reduce mercury use in gold processing, and create transparent export pathways that meet international responsible sourcing standards.
While eastern Congo continues to face security challenges, advocates argue that formalizing artisanal mining can play a critical role in reducing illicit trade, improving livelihoods, and creating stronger economic incentives for stability.
Growing Demand for Traceable Gold
The deal reflects a broader shift taking place across the global gold industry.
According to industry estimates, artisanal and small-scale mining accounts for roughly 20% of global gold production and supports more than 15 million livelihoods worldwide. However, increasing pressure from regulators, refiners, and investors is driving demand for gold that can be traced back to verified sources.
For African producers, that trend presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Companies capable of proving responsible sourcing practices are increasingly gaining access to premium markets and long-term commercial partnerships.
“Everyone recognizes the potential within the artisanal and small-scale gold sector, but many producers remain constrained by limited access to compliant export channels, refinery relationships, and appropriately structured financing,” said Zara Shirwan, co-founder and director of strategy at SigraFi.
A Model for Responsible Mining Across Africa
Beyond the DRC, SigraFi says the partnership forms part of a broader strategy to support responsible artisanal mining operations across Africa and Latin America.
If successful, the model could provide a blueprint for integrating informal miners into global supply chains while improving transparency, environmental standards, and economic opportunities for local communities.
For the DRC, one of the world’s richest mineral-producing nations, the agreement represents another step toward unlocking greater value from its vast gold resources while ensuring more of the benefits reach the communities that depend on mining for their livelihoods.
As international demand for responsibly sourced minerals continues to grow, initiatives that connect artisanal miners with formal markets may increasingly shape the future of Africa’s mining sector.
