Russia will struggle to expand West Africa gold mining

Significance More recently, this has involved widely publicised claims that Russia is skirting international sanctions by using African gold from mines seized by proxy forces to help finance its war in Ukraine. These claims are overstated, although Russian mercenary forces may themselves profit from mining operations. Impacts A projected Russian-financed gold refinery in Mali may prove expensive and take time to build and operate. Insecurity will increase the cost of controlling artisanal gold mining sites. Regional juntas will resist any Russian efforts to establish major stakes in their economies.