The Wagner Group is a Russian private military company that plays a significant role in illegal mining activities in Africa, particularly as part of Russia’s broader strategy to exert influence and secure economic resources in resource-rich, politically unstable regions. The group's involvement in illegal mining operations is intertwined with its global financial networks, which are reportedly linked to conflict financing. As of 2024, the Wagner Group in Africa has been taken over by the Africa Corps, a Russian mercenary group controlled by the Russian government.  A 2023 report from US think tank 21 Democracy estimates that Russia, through the Wagner Group and subsequent Africa Corps, has earned more than US$2.5 billion from African gold since February 2022. The US has sanctioned the group for its exploitation of natural resources in countries such as the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali that create a revenue stream for conflicts across the region, as well as the Russian-Ukraine war.  In the CAR, Wagner’s forces have been accused of using violence to secure control of mining areas, displacing local communities and exploiting workers. The group also has a reportedly sophisticated smuggling network to move illegally mined resources, particularly gold and diamonds, out of Africa and into the global market. These practices also often violate international sanctions, like restrictions against the Wagner Group by countries such as the US and UK, highlighting the linkages between illegal mining, Sanctions Evasion, and conflict financing.