NGO investigations, sanctions and designations, government reports, field research and open industry proceedings on gold, each with its corroboration rating.
Single-source allegations that name people or companies carry the counterparty’s response, or state that none is documented, and live in the dated Updates feed rather than in a register.
The May 2024 flagship and the May 2025 African Gold Report: UAE gold imports reached 1,392 t in 2024 (US$105.4bn), with 29 t direct from Sudan plus transit via Egypt, Chad and Libya. In response, the UAE points to AML reforms and the Emirates Gold DMCC suspension.
A 2 October 2025 investigation mapping 12+ Dubai firms linked to the Hemedti family, including at least 4 gold traders, and estimating more than US$850m in RSF gold from 2024 to early 2025 (Sentry estimate). No response documented from the named firms.
The gold-flow value is The Sentry’s own estimate.
The 8 June 2026 report frames illicit gold as one of the most consequential criminal markets and calls for mandatory due diligence and scrutiny of International Bullion Centres.
On 15 April 2026 eight NGOs, including HRW, IMPACT, Swissaid and The Sentry, publicly urged the Responsible Jewellery Council to require red-flag supplier disclosure matching LBMA Disclosure Guidance v3. No response documented from RJC.
On 25 June 2026 OFAC sanctioned the Rwanda refinery and its principals for refining and exporting M23-controlled DRC gold (at least 60 kg moved in early 2026), following the 2022 Alain Goetz/African Gold Refinery precedent. No response documented from the designated parties.
On 9 December 2024 OFAC designated 28 persons and entities in a Zimbabwe-based gold-smuggling network, in coordination with the UK. No response documented from the designated parties.
A 2025 report to Congress on state-sponsored gold extraction in Venezuela’s Orinoco region. The figures that at least 86% of production is illegal and about 70% is smuggled are NGO estimates (FACT Coalition, Mongabay). No response documented from the Venezuelan authorities.
Illegality and smuggling shares are NGO estimates, attributed inline.
Field mapping published 8 December 2025 found about 5,500 artisanal miners working inside the Barrick concession in Faradje territory, Haut-Uele, with displacement and taxation allegations against army elements. No response documented.
Primary field data from IPIS/PAX.
Two Incident Review Processes are open: Istanbul Gold Refinery (invoked October 2025, after Turkish authorities detained 21 people) and Heraeus Precious Metals (invoked February 2026, over reported recycling-business fraud). Both retain Good Delivery status while the reviews run. Heraeus has disclosed EUR 457.7m in provisions (per Heraeus); no response documented from Istanbul Gold Refinery.
Provisions figure per Heraeus.