International mineral procurement requires more than a quoted price and a supplier introduction. Before entering a transaction involving gold or other minerals, buyers should establish who is selling the material, where it originated, how it moved through the supply chain and which documents support the proposed export and delivery.
This checklist is an educational starting point for buyers considering mineral supply opportunities connected to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is not legal advice and does not replace independent verification by qualified legal, compliance, customs and inspection professionals.
1. Verify the supplier and its authority to sell
Confirm the legal name, registration details, physical business address, directors and beneficial owners of every company involved. Ask for evidence that the seller is authorised to market or sell the specific material. Where an agent or intermediary is involved, establish its role and obtain written authority that can be independently checked.
Do not rely only on a company profile, email signature, certificate image or messaging-app conversation. Verify documents with the issuing authority where possible, and ensure the contracting entity, bank beneficiary and exporter details are consistent or that any differences are fully explained.
2. Establish origin and chain of custody
Ask for the mine or production source, the identity of aggregators and traders, relevant transport points, storage locations and the route to the exporter. The information should form a coherent chain from the source to the proposed delivery point. Check dates, quantities, lot references and names across documents for inconsistencies.
For gold and minerals from conflict-affected or high-risk areas, buyers should use a risk-based responsible-sourcing process. The OECD Due Diligence Guidance describes a five-step framework covering management systems, risk identification, risk management, independent audit at relevant control points and public reporting. Read the OECD mineral supply-chain due-diligence guidance.
3. Check licences, taxes and export requirements
Request the permits, licences, declarations, tax or royalty evidence and export authorisations that apply to the specific product, seller, origin and shipment. Requirements can differ by mineral, transaction structure and current law. Have local counsel or a qualified compliance adviser confirm that the documents are valid and cover the proposed transaction.
A document should not be treated as genuine merely because it carries a stamp or seal. Confirm its number, issuer, validity period, named holder, product description and quantity with the relevant authority where possible.
4. Arrange independent sampling and assay
Agree in writing how the material will be sampled, sealed, transported and tested. Use an independent laboratory or inspector acceptable to both parties. The procedure should identify the lot, sampling method, custody of samples, testing method, reporting format and how any material difference between results will be resolved.
For gold, clarify whether the quoted specification refers to gross weight, net weight, fineness or another measure. For concentrates and other minerals, specify the grade, moisture basis, payable elements and relevant impurities. Do not compare offers unless the measurement basis is the same.
5. Screen parties and payment instructions
Screen the seller, beneficial owners, agents, banks, carriers and other material counterparties against applicable sanctions and anti-money-laundering requirements. Confirm the source of funds and the commercial rationale for payments. Be cautious of requests to pay unrelated third parties, change bank details at short notice, split payments without a clear reason or send advance funds before basic verification.
6. Agree delivery, insurance and responsibilities
Put the delivery point, applicable Incoterms rule and version, export and import responsibilities, insurance coverage, carrier, risk-transfer point, customs clearance and required documents into the contract. The parties should identify who pays each charge and who bears the risk at each stage. Ask your freight forwarder and insurer to confirm that the proposed route and commodity can be handled lawfully.
7. Use a written contract and independent advisers
The contract should identify the parties, product, origin representations, quantity, quality specifications, inspection process, price formula, payment milestones, delivery terms, documents, dispute resolution and remedies if a condition is not met. Make sure the contract reflects the actual transaction and that all attachments are consistent.
Buyer due-diligence checklist
- Supplier identity, registration and beneficial ownership independently checked
- Seller’s authority and role of intermediaries confirmed
- Origin and chain-of-custody records reviewed for consistency
- Applicable licences, taxes, royalties and export permissions verified
- Independent sampling, assay and dispute procedures agreed
- Sanctions, AML and payment-counterparty screening completed
- Transport, insurance, customs and delivery responsibilities documented
- Written contract reviewed by qualified advisers before funds or commitments are made
No single document proves that a mineral transaction is safe. Buyers should assess the full set of evidence, investigate gaps and pause where explanations cannot be independently verified.
Buy Gold Congo welcomes detailed business enquiries about physical gold opportunities connected to the DRC. To discuss a proposed requirement, use the quotation request page or contact the team. Product availability, origin documents and transaction terms must be confirmed for each specific lot.