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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.