PMC "Wagner" is making money on African minerals to possibly finance the war against Ukraine

This is reported in Politico, citing a Western official and a U.S. cable.

Over the past year, Wagner has significantly expanded its work in the Central African Republic (CAR), where it could potentially generate about $1 billion in mineral extraction.

According to the official, this funding is likely to be used to purchase new weapons and fighter jets.

In 2018, the Wagner Group set up shop in the CAR, where it created a cultural center and signed several deals. In particular, the Wagner company has created a huge complex at the Ndassima gold mine: the mine spans eight production zones at various stages of development, and the depth of the largest is estimated at about 60 meters.

"These new developments that they're making indicate long-term plans for the mine," said Catrina Doxsee, associate director and associate fellow at the D.C.-based think tank.

The Central African Republic refuses to grant UN peacekeepers permission to fly unmanned aerial vehicles over the mine. Several of them have taken fire from the CAR army. US officials see this as a sign that Wagner is in political control of the country.

Wagner has repeatedly used its power to advance its own interests in mining in Africa in recent years.