Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Confl Ict-Affected and High-Risk Areas

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Confl Ict-Affected and High-Risk Areas Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Confl ict-affected and High-Risk Areas Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo Imprint Commissioned by: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources) Stilleweg 2 30655 Hannover Germany Authors: Felix Hruschka, Frank Melcher, Birgit Kain-Bückner Technisches Büro für Bergwesen Hruschka & Lehrstuhl für Geologie und Lagerstättenlehre der Montanuniversität Leoben Contact: Désirée Ruppen, Philip Schütte Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Stilleweg 2 30655 Hannover [email protected] Date: November 2016 ISBN: 978-3-943566-35-2 (PDF) Cover Photographs: © Felix Hruschka (links) © Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (mitte) © Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (rechts) Copyright: © 2016 Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Confl ict-affected and High-Risk Areas Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo By Felix Hruschka, Frank Melcher, Birgit Kain-Bückner Leoben, November 2016 Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas – Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo By: F. Hruschka, F. Melcher and B. Kain-Bückner Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-risk Areas Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo Citation Please cite this report as “Hruschka, F., Melcher, F., Kain-Bückner, B. (2016): Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-risk areas: Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo. ISBN 978-3- 943566-35-2, Contract study for the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).” Acknowledgement This report was commissioned by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) within the bilateral German program with the Ministry of Mines / Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). About this Report International efforts to promote responsible sourcing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recognize both the significant development potential as well as the particular challenges associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining. This sub-sector represents the dominant source of employment for artisanal miners in the eastern DRC while also showing the highest risks to contribute to conflict financing. Most supply chains are informal and lack transparency. Mineral traceability and supply chain due diligence efforts in ASM (Artisanal and Small-scale Mining) gold in the DRC are in their infancy. Artisanal gold leaves the country without adequate registration at the national export level. Gold analysis is employed in different scenarios. Gold refiners analyze incoming gold to control its quality. Analyses performed in the context of archeometry attempt to evaluate the origin of certain artefacts. Regulatory and law enforcement authorities may analyze gold in order to differentiate legal from illegal sources. These different analytical efforts may contribute to constraining the origin of gold through “fingerprinting” of its composition. This study presents the state of the art knowledge on different methods and research approaches to analyze gold and interpret its compositional features. It then describes the impacts on gold composition resulting from the geological background in the DRC and transformations taking place along the gold supply chain. It further explores the practical framework and feasibility for employing certain analytical tools to support or verify the chain of custody along industrial and artisanal gold supply chains. About the BGR Module of the German Program with the DRC Ministry of Mines The bilateral German-Congolese cooperation program “Strengthening the transparency and control of the natural resource sector” was launched in 2009. BGR supports the DRC Ministry of Mines and its associated technical services as well as other selected mining sector stakeholders both at the national and province level. The project focuses on supporting the DRC in establishing a national mineral certification scheme for tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. Project activities focus on mine sites but also include support to formalizing artisanal supply chains. The current second phase of the project runs until 2017. Online resources for the project are available at https://www.bgr.bund.de/mineral-certification. Disclaimer This report does not necessarily represent the views of BGR or its project partners. tbb.hru and CEG/MUL on behalf of BGR. Contract Nr. 204-4500098892. November 2016 Page i Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas – Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo By: F. Hruschka, F. Melcher and B. Kain-Bückner Abbreviations Abbreviation Descriptive text 3T Tin, tantalum and tungsten ASM Artisanal and Small-scale Mining ARM Alliance for Responsible Mining BGR German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe) BMZ Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BRGM Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières CEG Chair of Geology and Economic Geology CEZ Curt Engelhorn Zentrum CEEC Centre d’Expertise d’Evaluation et de Certification des substances minérales précieuses et semi-précieuses CIL Carbon in leach (cyanide leaching method) CIP Carbon in pulp (cyanide leaching method) COSOC Coalition of Civil society Organizations in the Great Lakes Region against illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources CPSC Closed pipe supply chain CSR Corporate Social Responsibility DGDA Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo EDS Energy-dispersive spectrometry EI Extractive Industries EPMA Electron Probe Micro Analysis FARDC Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo FE-EPMA Field Emission Electron Probe Micro Analysis GD-MS Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry GLR Great Lakes Region GoE United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (also UN GoE) GPA Gold Provenance Analysis ICGLR International Conference on the Great Lakes Region ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry ICP-OES Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry IFF Illicit financial flows IPIS International Peace Information Service LA-ICP-MS Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry LIBS Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy LMBA London Bullion Market Association LSM Large-scale Mining tbb.hru and CEG/MUL on behalf of BGR. Contract Nr. 204-4500098892. November 2016 Page ii Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas – Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo By: F. Hruschka, F. Melcher and B. Kain-Bückner MC-ICP-MS Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry MGL Minière des Grands Lacs Mt Million Tons Moz Million ounces MUL Montanuniversitaet Leoben NGO Non-Governmental Organization OCC Office Congolais de Controle OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development PDG Président Directeur Général PIXE Proton-induced X-ray Emission PIGE Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission pLIBS Portable Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy pXRF Portable X-Ray Fluorescence PGM Platinum-group minerals PGE Platinum-group elements REE Rare earth elements RMCA Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren) SAESSCAM Service d'Assistance et d'Encadrement du Small Scale Mining SARS South African Revenue Services SEM Scanning Electron Microscope Spark OES Spark optical emission spectrometry SR-XRF Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence TBD To be defined TIMS Thermal ionization mass spectrometry UAE United Arab Emirates UN GoE United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo WDS Wavelength-dispersive spectrometry WFP World Food Program XRF X-ray Fluorescence tbb.hru and CEG/MUL on behalf of BGR. Contract Nr. 204-4500098892. November 2016 Page iii Analytical Tools to Constrain the Origin of Gold from Conflict-affected and High-Risk Areas – Scoping Study Based on the DR Congo By: F. Hruschka, F. Melcher and B. Kain-Bückner Executive Summary Recent years saw the emergence of frameworks, tools and standards applicable to gold mining, trading and sourcing from Conflict-affected and High Risks Areas such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Information on the chain of custody of gold has become of increasing interest to a broad range of stakeholders. International consumers are concerned about the conditions of mineral extraction, gold traders and refiners seek to demonstrate supply chain due diligence, and gold producing countries as well as international organizations aim to ensure a formalized, legal base for gold supply chains and associated financial flows. In this context, BGR commissioned this Scoping Study to evaluate if – and to what extent – existing methods for the analysis of chemical gold composition might serve as scientifically robust and practically feasible tools to increase the transparency of gold supply chains. Natural gold occurrences originate from a diverse variety of geologic processes. Despite similarities, every gold deposit is unique as native gold may contain different elements in solid solution as well as different minerals as inclusions. Both attributes are considered as characteristic for certain types of gold deposits. Along the supply chain, from “vein to vault”, the precious metal is transformed
Recommended publications
  • Traceability in Artisanal Gold Supply Chains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lessons Learned from the Kampene Gold Pilot Project Imprint
    Traceability in Artisanal Gold Supply Chains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lessons Learned from the Kampene Gold Pilot Project Imprint Editor: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, BGR) Stilleweg 2 30655 Hannover Germany www.bgr.bund.de Authors: Martin Neumann, Bali Barume, Benoît Ducellier, Alain Ombeni, Uwe Näher, Philip Schütte, Ulrike von Baggehufwudt, Désirée Ruppen, Yannick Weyns Contact: Dr. Bali Barume, Dr. Philip Schütte Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Stilleweg 2 30655 Hannover [email protected] Date: March 2019 ISBN: 978-3-943566-57-4 (PDF) Cover photos: © Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Copyright: © 2019 Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe Traceability in Artisanal Gold Supply Chains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lessons Learned from the Kampene Gold Pilot Project Martin Neumann, Bali Barume, Benoît Ducellier, Alain Ombeni, Uwe Näher, Philip Schütte, Ulrike von Baggehufwudt, Désirée Ruppen, Yannick Weyns Hannover, March 2019 Traceability in Artisanal Gold Supply Chains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Executive Summary The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of gold constitutes one of the most relevant sources of informal employment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The sector has grown over the past decade and has a high potential to contribute to poverty reduction and economic development, especially in remote rural areas. Gold mining activities provide a livelihood base for around 233,000 small-scale miners and their families in the eastern DRC. Weak control over ASM gold supply chains is one of the key challenges for responsibility in the sector. While the DRC exports significant quantities of gold from large- scale industrial mining, its annual ASM gold exports average only 200-300kg, with the 56 kg officially exported in 2018 marking a dramatic low in recent years.
    [Show full text]
  • From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’
    paper 50 From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Björn Aust and Willem Jaspers Published by ©BICC, Bonn 2006 Bonn International Center for Conversion Director: Peter J. Croll An der Elisabethkirche 25 D-53113 Bonn Germany Phone: +49-228-911960 Fax: +49-228-241215 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bicc.de Cover Photo: Willem Jaspers From Resource War to ‘Violent Peace’ Table of contents Summary 4 List of Acronyms 6 Introduction 8 War and war economy in the DRC (1998–2002) 10 Post-war economy and transition in the DRC 12 Aim and structure of the paper 14 1. The Congolese peace process 16 1.1 Power shifts and developments leading to the peace agreement 17 Prologue: Africa’s ‘First World War’ and its war economy 18 Power shifts and the spoils of (formal) peace 24 1.2 Political transition: Structural challenges and spoiler problems 29 Humanitarian Situation and International Assistance 30 ‘Spoiler problems’ and political stalemate in the TNG 34 Systemic Corruption and its Impact on Transition 40 1.3 ‘Violent peace’ and security-related liabilities to transition 56 MONUC and its contribution to peace in the DRC 57 Security-related developments in different parts of the DRC since 2002 60 1.4 Fragility of security sector reform 70 Power struggles between institutions and parallel command structures 76 2. A Tale of two cities: Goma and Bukavu as case studies of the transition in North and South Kivu
    [Show full text]
  • He Who Touches the Weapon Becomes Other: a Study of Participation in Armed Groups in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of The
    The London School of Economics and Political Science He who touches the weapon becomes other: A Study of Participation in Armed groups In South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Gauthier Marchais A thesis submitted to the Department of International Development of the London School of Economics and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. London, January 2016 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgment is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 107 254 words. Gauthier Marchais London, January 2016 2 Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. 7 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 17 1.1. The persisting puzzle of participation in armed
    [Show full text]
  • By Namakula Evelyn Birabwa Mayanja a Thesis Submitted to The
    People's experiences and perceptions of war and peace in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo By Namakula Evelyn Birabwa Mayanja A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Manitoba In partial fulfillment of the requirement of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Peace and Conflict Studies Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright © 2018 by Namakula Evelyn Birabwa Mayanja WAR and PEACE in CONGO II ABSTRACT This study explores people’s experiences and perceptions of war and the peacebuilding processes needed for reconstructing Congo. It explains how the ongoing war has horrendous consequences for individuals and communities. There are extensive accounts of how ordinary Congolese have suffered because of the war, how they understand the causes of war, and what they think is needed to achieve peace. In my research, I endeavored to transcend theoretical abstraction, intellectualization, and rationalization to represent people’s realties and experiences through their stories. The essence of my research was to explain from their perspective, what feeds the war, why current peacebuilding measures are failing and what is needed to reconstruct the Congo state to engender peace, security, and development. My hope is that people’s stories will inspire greater action and engagement to ameliorate their suffering. A matrix of international, regional, and national factors must be assembled, like in a puzzle, to understand the multifaceted factors leading to Congo’s wars. While the causes are multifactorial, and fundamentally rooted in colonialism, what is clear is that Congo, is the victim of the wars of plunder.
    [Show full text]
  • Considerations for 2013 Budget
    Considerations for 2013 budget Corporate Presentation February 2017 IMPORTANT NOTICES THIS PRESENTATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES OF BANRO CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) IN ANY JURISDICTION. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This presentation contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding estimates and/or assumptions in respect of future gold production, revenue, cash flow and costs, estimated project economics, mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and mineral reserves, projected timing of possible gold production and the Company's exploration, development and production plans and objectives with respect to its projects, the proposed implementation of the recently announced recapitalization and the anticipated effect of the recapitalization on the Company’s operations and financial condition) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those
    [Show full text]
  • Fluid Characteristics in Hydrothermal Veins of the Twangiza-Namoya Gold Belt, South Kivu and Maniema Provinces, DRC
    Fluid characteristics in hydrothermal veins of the Twangiza-Namoya Gold Belt, South Kivu and Maniema Provinces, DRC Thesis submitted to fulfil the requirements of the degree of Master of Science at Rhodes University by Wesson Kyle Reid Supervisor: Professor Steffen H. Büttner Submitted in 2019 i DECLARATION I declare that this thesis is my own work, and information from other publications is adequately referenced. It is being submitted in fulfilment for the Master of Sciences degree in the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Rhodes University. Candidate’s Name Wesson Kyle Reid Candidate’s Signature Signed on this 27th day of November 2019. i ABSTRACT This study evaluates fluid variations in hydrothermal quartz veins from gold deposits in Kamituga, Lugushwa and Namoya, located in the Twangiza - Namoya Gold Belt (TNGB) of the Kibara Belt in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Petrographic, fluid inclusion (FI) microthermometric observations and Raman spectroscopy provided qualitative and quantitative fluid composition data on the hydrothermal and magmatic fluids and their evolution during mineral precipitation. The formational fluids, based on genetically specific characteristics, were categorized into six distinct FI Types. Type 1 to 4 FIs are common in all TNGB fluids. Type 1 and 2 FIs are high salinity halite bearing FIs that indicate formation fluids that are predominantly metamorphic-sedimentary in source. CO2 vapour-bearing and the aqueous-saline CO2 liquid-bearing Type 3 FIs commonly contain CH4 and/or N2. Type 4 FIs are saline aqueous and commonly co-genetic with Type 1 and 2 FIs. Type 5 CO2-rich FIs contain either sulphide crystals, amorphous or crystalline carbon.
    [Show full text]
  • Banro Corporation Information Circular
    NOTICE OF CREDITORS’ MEETINGS AND INFORMATION CIRCULAR WITH RESPECT TO A CONSOLIDATED PLAN OF COMPROMISE AND REORGANIZATION OF BANRO CORPORATION, BANRO GROUP (BARBADOS) LIMITED, BANRO CONGO (BARBADOS) LIMITED, NAMOYA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, LUGUSHWA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, TWANGIZA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, AND KAMITUGA (BARBADOS) LIMITED (collectively, the “Applicants” or the “Companies”) February 1, 2018 These materials are important and require your immediate attention. They require creditors of the Companies to make important decisions. If you are in doubt as to how to make such decisions, please contact your financial, legal or other professional advisors. For any questions relating to the procedures for delivering Beneficial Noteholder Voting Instructions or Registration Instructions for voting at the upcoming meetings, please contact the Company’s depositary and solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors, at 1-866-229-8874 or by email at [email protected]. For all other questions, including questions relating to the Creditors’ Meetings, proving your claim and the Recapitalization Plan generally, please contact the Monitor, FTI Consulting Canada Inc. at [email protected]. Contents Section Page NOTICE OF CREDITORS’ MEETINGS AND SANCTION MOTION FOR AFFECTED CREDITORS (OTHER THAN BENEFICIAL NOTEHOLDERS) ........................................................................................... I NOTICE OF CREDITORS’ MEETINGS AND SANCTION MOTION FOR BENEFICIAL NOTEHOLDERS .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
    December 1997 Vol. 9, No. 9 (A) THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO UNCERTAIN COURSE: Transition and Human Rights Violations in the Congo ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................3 SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................................................................4 RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................................................6 Democratic Republic of the Congo................................................................................................................6 International Community...............................................................................................................................7 Canada, E.U. member states, Japan, Norway, the OAU member states, and the United States.....................9 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................................................9 The End of the Mobutu Era ...........................................................................................................................9 The New Order ............................................................................................................................................11 The ADFL=s Charter ......................................................................................................................11
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Republic of Congo Media and Telecoms Landscape Guide December 2012
    1 Democratic Republic of Congo Media and telecoms landscape guide December 2012 2 Index Page Introduction...............................................................................................3 Media overview.......................................................................................14 Media groups...........................................................................................24 Radio overview........................................................................................27 Radio stations..........……………..……….................................................35 List of community and religious radio stations.......…………………….....66 Television overview.................................................................................78 Television stations………………………………………………………......83 Print overview........................................................................................110 Newspapers…………………………………………………………......…..112 News agencies.......................................................................................117 Online media……...................................................................................119 Traditional and informal channels of communication.............................123 Media resources.....................................................................................136 Telecoms companies..............................................................................141 Introduction 3 The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by conflict, corruption
    [Show full text]
  • Defusing the Social Minefield of Gold Sites in Kamituga, South Kivu
    Defusing the social minefield of gold sites in Kamituga, South Kivu. From legal pluralism to the re-making of institutions?1 Janvier Kilosho Buraye2, Nik Stoop3, Marijke Verpoorten4 This article is published in Resources Policy - DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2017.07.009 Abstract DRC’s 2002 Mining Code has attracted Large-Scale Mining (LSM) through favorable fiscal conditions, but is detrimental to Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM). The Code specifies that ASM should take place in Artisanal Exploitation Zones (AEZ), but far too few AEZ were created to accommodate the large number of artisanal miners. This has triggered an explosive situation, as many artisanal miners operate in mining concessions granted to LSM companies. While LSM companies justify their operations referring to statutory law, miners claim traditional rights to the land. We study how this situation of legal pluralism plays out in Kamituga, a gold mining area in South-Kivu. To what extent do the artisanal miners and the LSM company stick to their opposing frames of reference? To what extent do they look for compromises? Can these compromises give way to the re-making of institutions? 1 The research was funded by FWO – Research Foundation Flanders (grant numbers 1517614N & 11Q2816N), and by CEGEMI – Centre d'Expertise en Gestion Minière. Permission to conduct the research was granted by the University of Antwerp’s Ethics Committee for the Social Sciences and Humanities (file nr. SHW_15_06), by the Congolese Ministry of Mines, by SAESSCAM (the Congolese public Service for Assistance to Artisanal and Small-Scale mining) and by the local authorities in Kamituga.
    [Show full text]
  • DECEMBER 22, 2017) VOLUME 2 of 2
    Court File No.: ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE (COMMERCIAL LIST) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES’ CREDITORS ARRANGEMENT ACT, R.S.C. 1985, C. C-36, AS AMENDED AND IN THE MATTER OF A PLAN OF COMPROMISE OR ARRANGEMENT OF BANRO CORPORATION, BANRO GROUP (BARBADOS) LIMITED, BANRO CONGO (BARBADOS) LIMITED, NAMOYA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, LUGUSHWA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, TWANGIZA (BARBADOS) LIMITED AND KAMITUGA (BARBADOS) LIMITED (the “Applicants”) APPLICATION RECORD (RETURNABLE DECEMBER 22, 2017) VOLUME 2 of 2 December 22, 2017 Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP 2100 Scotia Plaza 40 King Street West Toronto, ON M5H 3C2 Ryan C. Jacobs LSUC# 59510J Tel: 416.860.6465 Fax: 416.640.3189 [email protected] Jane O. Dietrich LSUC# 49302U Tel: 416.860.5223 Fax: 416.640.3144 [email protected] Joseph J. Bellissimo LSUC# 46555R Tel: 416.860.6572 Fax: 416.642.7150 [email protected] Ben Goodis LSUC # 70303H Tel: 416.869.5312 Fax: 416.640.3199 [email protected] Lawyers for the Applicants TO: SERVICE LIST LEGAL*45022372.1 Court File No.: ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE (COMMERCIAL LIST) IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES’ CREDITORS ARRANGEMENT ACT, R.S.C. 1985, C. C-36, AS AMENDED AND IN THE MATTER OF A PLAN OF COMPROMISE OR ARRANGEMENT OF BANRO CORPORATION, BANRO GROUP (BARBADOS) LIMITED, BANRO CONGO (BARBADOS) LIMITED, NAMOYA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, LUGUSHWA (BARBADOS) LIMITED, TWANGIZA (BARBADOS) LIMITED AND KAMITUGA (BARBADOS) LIMITED (the “Applicants”) I N D E X DOCUMENT TAB Notice of Application, returnable December 22, 2017 1 Schedules
    [Show full text]
  • Banro Corporation Ltd. Announces Sale of Its Namoya Mine
    Banro Corporation Ltd. Announces Sale of its Namoya Mine Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – June 23, 2020 – Banro Corporation Ltd. (the “Company” or “Banro”) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Namoya Mining SA operating mine to a consortium of investors that includes Baiyin International Investment Ltd. (“Baiyin”) and Shomka Resources Limited. and In exchange, Banro will receive a perpetual royalty for all production from the Namoya property. The transaction is still subject to certain conditions, including final approval from the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) government. The buyer will assume management control of the Company with immediate effect, and planning will commence immediately in an effort to re- start the mining operations as soon as possible. Banro Corporation Ltd. is a privately owned Cayman Island based gold mining company, focused on creating value for its shareholders from its operating mines and exploration portfolio in the DRC. Historically, the Company operated the Twangiza Mine, which was sold to Baiyin International Investments Ltd. in January 2020; and has operated the Namoya Mine since the completion of construction of the mine in 2012. With the sale of the Namoya Mine to the buyer, all stakeholders in the business will greatly benefit as the mine prepares to restart the operation as soon as practically possible. In addition to the royalty over production from the Namoya property, Banro will own two existing mining licences: Lugushwa Mining SA (“Lugushwa”) and Kamituga Mining SA (“Kamituga”), as well as 17 additional exploration licences and permits that extend along the 210 kilometer long Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the South Kivu and Maniema provinces of the DRC from the Lugushwa community, north-east to the Twangiza operating mine.
    [Show full text]