4. Conclusion

Despite the introduction of mineral control and traceability mechanisms and standards in the African Great Lakes region, for the time being these initiatives have tended to redirect supply to mines located in areas less affected by insecurity than the Kivus, such as Katanga, rather than leading to strong control and certification measures by comptoirs and traders in eastern DRC. Moreover, gold ore remains on the bangs of these initiatives, its trade remaining largely illicit and undeclared, whether in Africa or in northern Latin America.

Similarly, mineral control measures and regulations are too geographically restricted – current regulations do not cover Latin America or Asia, where mining is wreaking havoc –.

The superimposition of standards, whether voluntary or legislative, as well as private programs and initiatives, demonstrates a...