Can the illicit gold trade be stopped?
Jul 21, 2026 · 24m
Summary
This BBC World Service episode investigates whether the illicit gold trade, which finances conflicts in Sudan and Colombia, can be stopped. Experts discuss how gold’s fungibility and rising value attract criminal gangs and insurgent groups. The discussion covers the shift from drug trafficking to gold mining and proposes targeting financiers and improving supply chain due diligence to curb the trade.
Topics discussed
Sponsor message and podcast introduction
EU gold ban and the rise of illicit trade
Gold's properties and role as a conflict financier
Gold mining in Africa and smuggling routes
Sponsor break and archive promotion
Illicit gold mining in Colombia vs cocaine
International efforts to stop illicit gold trade
Credits and Witness History promo
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