The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has taken a major step toward strengthening domestic mineral processing with the launch of its first pilot gold refinery in Kalemie, located in Tanganyika Province.

The facility, known as DRC GOLD Refinery S.A., was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, during a ceremony attended by senior government officials and representatives from the mining sector.

According to Louis Watum Kabamba, the country’s Minister of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, the refinery is the result of a strategic partnership between DRC Gold Trading S.A. and Lunga Mining aimed at increasing local value addition in the country’s gold sector.

Kabamba said that once fully operational, the refinery is expected to process between 500 and 600 kilograms of gold per month, covering the entire value chain—from purchasing raw gold from miners to refining and producing gold ingots ready for export.

The project aligns with the broader economic agenda of Félix Tshisekedi, who has prioritized transforming the DRC’s vast natural resources into engines of industrial development, economic growth, and national sovereignty.

Analysts say the refinery could help the country reduce reliance on exporting raw minerals by enabling the export of 99.9 percent pure refined gold, thereby capturing greater value from its mineral resources.

DRC officials also expect the facility to enhance transparency in the gold trade, improve pricing mechanisms, and create more opportunities for artisanal miners and local mining operators.