BloodGoldReport

Investigating the links between western mining companies, African juntas and Russian mercenaries.

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

The Blood Gold Report will be in Toronto this week for the @BarrickGold AGM on Tuesday- here’s why 🧵 (1/6)

[David Clement 🌐 @davidclement]

Barrick Gold has begun the temporary suspension of operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali. If only there was a group of international researchers highlighting to them how their mining operations were helping fund Putin's war machine.....@BloodGoldReport

[Stop Wagner @stopwagnergroup]

🧵1/5 On December 10, a dozen of citizens from #Mauritania were abducted by mercenaries from the Russian #AfricaCorps, who were accompanied by Malian soldiers. Negotiations are still ongoing to liberate these hostages. Vehicles were also seized.

[Charlie Werb @WerbCharlie]

🇲🇱|#Mali: Today, #FAMa and #Wagner forces reportedly targeted the predominantly #Tuareg village of Razelma, Tombouctou, burning the market and several houses.

[Iván @FpAnalisis]

Wagner fighters in Mali. Date unknown, probably archive.

https://t.co/77wD6KAqjY

[Iván @FpAnalisis]

More images from the inauguration of the memorial to Wagner founders Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin in Bangui.

[Stop Wagner @stopwagnergroup]

🧵1/6 A monument honoring #Prigozhin and Utkin was just unveiled in Bangui, Central African Republic. For the first time, a statue representing #Wagner’s founding fathers has been built outside of #Russia. What is Wagner trying to achieve with this provocation? And why Bangui?👇

[Charlie Werb @WerbCharlie]

🇲🇱|#Mali: Today, #JNIM reportedly ambushed a #FAMa / #Wagner convoy between #Sevare and #Bandiagara, causing heavy losses.

[Aanu Adeoye @aanuadeoye]

Mali’s detention of mining executives last week is an escalation of tensions between both parties over the enforcement of a new code.

But Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow tells @FT he’s confident of reaching a deal, w @lesliehook. https://t.co/zmRgsWPdI9

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

The UK government has become the first G7 country to impose direct sanctions against #AfricaCorps.

A welcome step but dismantling Putin’s African #BloodGold system is vital in order to free the continent from his grip.

https://t.co/I6XNZr6e1e

[Fabian @fabsenbln]

#Mali🇲🇱 - The pro-#Wagner-Telegram channel "White Uncles in Africa" posted an undated photo that presumably shows a Wagner soldier operating a Malian Air Force L-39C Albatros jet.

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

"#Russia has combined diplomacy with gangsterism and colonial enterprise to advance its interests in #Africa...[In #CAR] mercenaries are developing a base to host 10,000 troops by 2030 and serve as a hub for Russian military operations."

@TheEconomist
https://t.co/8KRoSSEew1

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

Ukrainian intelligence source has confirmed #Wagner aided a drone strike on 5 October, killing 7 civilians in #Mali.

@KyivPost

https://t.co/2cDHAXHtcU

[Iván @FpAnalisis]

It seems that FAMA and Wagner are on the move.

Significant departure of vehicles from Kidal base.

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

#Russia has announced telecoms and surveillance satellite deals with #Mali, #Niger, and #BurkinaFaso.
#Putin is further tightening his grip on the #Sahel.

@RealPaulNjie @BBCNews

https://t.co/vDMREG0JrU

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

#Wagner's Telegram channel shows "Wagner fighters with local residents in the #CAR"

Image: Telegram, 24 September

[Iván @FpAnalisis]

Wagner presidential security yesterday in CAR.

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

#Sudanese mining officials held talks this week with #Russia's ambassador in Port Sudan to explore ways to further expand Russia's role in the country's #gold mining sector.

@AminSikka @business

https://t.co/aPKyDkZyKj

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

"Africa is a key strategic target in Russia’s information war. The aim is to gain influence and access to resources... Russia has developed podcasts, films and news websites to shape pro-Russia narratives in Africa."

@KarenAllenIntl @issafrica

https://t.co/E96zjbS0cJ

[BloodGoldReport @BloodGoldReport]

"African Initiative defines itself as an “information bridge between #Russia and #Africa”...
Its efforts have been particularly focused on the three military-run countries of #Mali, #Niger and #BurkinaFaso."

@BBCWorld @mazinwonwu @Fawzeyah @MKorenyuk

https://t.co/V6a5lGSvsV

[Iván @FpAnalisis]

Wagner fighter in Mali with a drone remote control in hand.