Marcena Hunter

Research Analyst focused on gold, organized crime, international development and security. RT≠endorse

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

Going for Gold: Russian actors are likely to be increasingly motivated to evade sanctions and gold is an option. This policy brief examines motive and opportunities in global markets. Targeted responses are needed if they are to be effective. https://t.co/rQrjD9GeTP

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

"#OrganizedCrime is rampant in #SouthAfrica—“an existential threat,” according to a recent analysis from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime—and gold-mining gangs are especially notorious."

@MarcenaHunter talks to @kimondegreef about illicit gold flows ⬇️

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

📢Join us for a webinar launching Beyond blood: Gold, conflict and criminality in West Africa on Nov 28! https://t.co/s2lu9G0LQP

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

Approaches that seek to eradicate artisanal and small-scale gold mining tend to undermine state legitimacy. Closing mines to prevent terrorists from using them for financing is counter-productive. https://t.co/JSgyVdUMCn via @ENACT_Africa Article by myself and @Lucia_Bird_Ruiz

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

Negative impacts of illicit gold mining in Brazil. - Jair Bolsonaro: Why the world is watching Brazil's election
https://t.co/AO5fJeQdKx

[Wuon Kalam @ManuelOdeny]

Via @TheStarKenya : "Ex-CS, MPs linked to fake gold racket" — https://t.co/Mk5k7rTKMq cc @GI_TOC @juliastanyard @MarcenaHunter #Gold #FakeGold #Corruption

[Wuon Kalam @ManuelOdeny]

#SodiumCyanide: The poison wreaking havoc in gold mining https://t.co/tsdu90SWEz via @TheStarKenya and @GI_TOC cc @juliastanyard @MarcenaHunter #Gold #Environment #Corruption

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

🇰🇪 For many years, mercury was the chemical of choice for artisanal miners extracting #gold in #Kenya.

⛏️ Today, #sodiumcyanide is increasingly being used to process gold-bearing ore – a trend seen around the world in what has been described as a ‘cyanide revolution’.

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

📣 Newest Eastern and Southern Africa risk bulletin features article on increasing #cyanide use to process #gold in Kenya and illegal cyanide supply chains. A deep dive into a trend we're seeing globally. Great reporting by @ManuelOdeny

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

⛏️ Using sodium cyanide allows more #gold to be extracted from low-grade ores.

🇰🇪 But in #Kenya, criminality and #corruption are turning this opportunity for profit into a risk.

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

🔴 The decision of #Balkan crime bosses to relocate to the #UAE is part of a wider trend, and with so many kingpins in one small place, the country is seen as a haven for #criminals.

Find out more in @FatjonaMejdini and @ZhillaFabian's latest blog 👇
https://t.co/FQqIKNRI2p

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

Security threats, sanctions impacting Burkina Faso Nordgold. Alexey Mordashov, sanctioned by EU, transferred part of his >75% stake to Marina Aleksandrovna Mordashova leaving her with >50% stake. Swiss refiner MKS PAMP suspended commercial activities. https://t.co/dndvnle6VD

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

Update: Kerimov family sells $6 billion stake in gold miner Polyus, reducing share to 46%, down from 76%. Assets subject to control of sanctioned persons are subject to freeze, but definitions of control vary. US definition is 50% or more. https://t.co/vHKNpC2YBh via @wealth

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

🇷🇺 Following #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine, #sanctions imposed by the UK, US and EU have greatly restricted #Moscow and other sanctioned actors’ ability to access and move funds.

💰 Illicit #gold markets and gold laundering could help generate profits and move finances abroad.

[Hans Merket @hansmerket]

A lot of news on Russian diamonds and the war in Ukraine.

With this report we try to bring clarity to the various ways in which they are linked and how the international political and business community has so far (not) responded to the challenges this raises

THREAD 🧵

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

🇷🇺 For several years, #Russia has been building their influence in #Mali and Central African Republic, with an increasing presence in the #gold sector.

💎 There has also been a growing number of #goldmining companies with Russian links becoming active in Africa's sector.

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

As the global gold market increasingly cuts off access to gold benefiting Russian actors, demand for laundering and smuggling services provided by organized crime likely to increase. https://t.co/JJi6KHuZp6

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

📣 Latest @GI_TOC West Africa risk bulletin includes an article examining #Russia presence in the West Africa (and CAR) #gold sector and opportunities for generating funds or gold laundering to evade sanctions. West Africa Risk Bulletin #3 https://t.co/MFdbu28hFM

[Global Initiative @GI_TOC]

👀 In part 2 of the #ClanDelGolfo #DeepDive episode, we look through Messi's eyes at the #illicitmarkets the group are involved in.

🎧Hear more from @DanielMRicoV, @TrejosRosero, @tobymuse, @jmantillaba, @MarcenaHunter and @AnaPCOliveira_ 👇https://t.co/YZFoTBBqIw

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

https://t.co/40hbvVLJRl

[Marcena Hunter @MarcenaHunter]

US sanctions Alain Goetz and linked Uganda gold refineries https://t.co/BrRq7p1HWv