On 30 May, Bulawayo 24 News reported that a new report has illustrated the depth of gold smuggling in Zimbabwe, estimating that over 70% of the country’s output has found its way into backdoor international markets.  ‘Illicit Gold Markets in East and Southern Africa’, from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime’s said the 10% to 30% of authorised buyers still selling bullion to the state-run Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) were only doing so to keep their licences.  It is said that about 50% of Zimbabwe’s estimated 1,5 million artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) have been spiriting away the yellow metal.

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-204360.html

The report is at –

https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/illicit-gold-east-southern-africa/

 

 

 

Any modest contributions for my time and ongoing expenses are welcomed!  I have a page, where contributions start as low as $3, at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KoIvM842y