Switzerland launches probe into refiner Argor for alleged Congo gold laundering

[pmbug]

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Argor-Heraeus, one of the country’s main refiners, to investigate whether it knew the gold it handled in 2004 and 2005 came from a militia group in eastern Congo.

The accusations, brought by non-governmental organization Track Impunity Always (TRIAL), were swiftly and strongly refuted by the company, which said it had already been cleared under investigations by the United Nations, the Swiss economics ministry (SECO) and financial markets regulator FINMA.

“Eight years after the conclusion of the case, the allegation arrives like a bolt from the blue for Argor-Heraeus,” the company said.

But the fact the Swiss government launched a probe says something, as under the country’s legal system, authorities are obliged to examine a criminal complaint but don’t have to open an investigation if they think it is not needed.
...

http://www.mining.com/switzerland-l...rgor-for-alleged-congo-gold-laundering-91827/