Throughout its research the Group distinguished between four time periods: 1) the period before the government suspension of all artisanal mining activity in the Kivus and Maniema from September 2010; 2) the period during the suspension from September 2010 to March 2011; 3) the period following the lifting of the suspension; 4) and the period following the May 2012 suspension of main export houses Huaying and TTT.
Throughout its research the Group distinguished between four time periods: 1) the period before the government suspension of all artisanal mining activity in the Kivus and Maniema from September 2010; 2) the period during the suspension from September 2010 to March 2011; 3) the period following the lifting of the suspension; 4) and the period following the May 2012 suspension of main export houses Huaying and TTT.