The spate of informal mining has moved from the 'romantic image' of the lone miner with his mule, to the semi-industrial criminally-syndicated mining of today.
So says the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
And an increasing array of experts agree.
Now, a new investigation by Reuters shows the UAE's gold imports are exploding -- much of which is unregistered. Read the report here => http://tiny.cc/b96w5y
That means the continent is missing out on billions of dollars of tax revenue: the schools, farms, power stations and ports that should be supporting Africa's future is instead being leaked out through corrupt means.
We spoke to David Lewis of Reuters -- @DG_Lewis -- and Gregory Mthembu-Salter, a consultant at Phuzumoya -- @gmsalter -- to find out more.