Introduction

In 2025, gold prices soared to historic highs, driven by global economic instability. While investors see it as a safe asset, few realize that a significant portion of this gold—known as blood gold—comes from violent and unregulated mines in West Africa. In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, gold finances both authoritarian military regimes and jihadist insurgents, deepening conflict in the Sahel.

Gold: Lifeline for Military Juntas

The juntas ruling Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are isolated internationally but rich in gold. Collectively, these nations produce around 230 tonnes annually, valued at over $15 billion. With weak governance and sanctions in place, gold becomes their economic lifeline. Recent developments, like Burkina Faso’s state-owned mining firm and Mali’s gold refinery with Russian investment, show a shift toward national control and away from Western mining firms.

Read more on Russia’s influence in African mining.

Jihadist Exploitation of Artisanal Mining

Most gold mined in the Sahel comes from artisanal and small-scale operations, often unlicensed and unregulated. These sites are battlegrounds between governments and jihadist groups like Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which fund their operations through illicit mining. A 2023 UNODC report confirmed that both militant and state actors fight for control over these mines, exploiting local labor and avoiding taxation.

Russia and Mercenary Involvement

Russian paramilitary groups like the Wagner Group and its successor, Africa Corps, have been accused of committing atrocities in Mali and Burkina Faso. In return for military services, they are granted gold mining concessions or are paid directly in bullion. Their operations remain opaque but are instrumental in sustaining the juntas.

Also read: West Africa’s Jihadist Crisis Deepens.

UAE’s Role in the Blood Gold Trade

The Reuters investigation and Global Initiative report both reveal the UAE as a primary gateway for blood gold. The lack of mandatory traceability allows conflict gold to be refined, mixed, and exported without scrutiny. The LBMA’s guidelines are not universally enforced, especially in UAE refineries, which often rely on voluntary compliance.

Human Rights Violations

Multiple watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, have accused both state forces and insurgents of war crimes: unlawful killings, torture, and village massacres. Displaced civilians are often forced to work in unsafe mines for meager wages. Despite rising gold prices, local miners report stagnant pay and worsening conditions.

Challenges in Tracing Gold’s Origin

Gold is notoriously hard to trace. Once smelted, its origin is virtually undetectable—unlike diamonds, which are regulated by the Kimberley Process. The lack of a unified international certification for gold means that conflict-sourced metal can easily enter mainstream markets. Experts believe that blood gold from Mali and Burkina Faso often ends up in UK and EU supply chains, including jewelry and electronics.

Conclusion

The Sahel’s gold rush is feeding a vicious cycle of violence, impunity, and exploitation. Without global enforcement of ethical sourcing, blood gold will continue to enrich warlords and repress citizens. It’s time for international actors to establish a global framework—akin to the Kimberley Process—for traceable, ethical gold.

Next Steps

To stop the blood gold crisis, we must: implement rigorous gold tracking mechanisms, hold refineries accountable, and support formal mining reform in the Sahel.

Stay informed with our ongoing coverage of West African politics and mineral trade at The Morning News Informer.