How 'blood gold' is fuelling conflict in West Africa

In West Africa, the surge in gold prices due to global economic events has led to conflicts fueled by the mining industry. Countries in the Sahel region like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger rely on gold mining as a lifeline amid jihadist insurgencies and regional challenges. The involvement of Russian firms in gold refineries and mining operations, alongside reports of human rights abuses and exploitation in the artisanal mining sector, have raised concerns about the ethical and social implications of 'blood gold' trading. Efforts to enforce ethical standards in gold mining face challenges, with the commodity's importance to Sahel governments likely sustaining its trade despite its controversial origins.