Before the Belgians arrived in the region the local Banyali people used gold to make jewellery, but otherwise did not see the metal as commercially valuable.

[1]: 359–360 Concession 40 covers 8,191 square kilometres (3,163 sq mi) surrounding Mongbwalu, and includes the underground Adidi, Makala and Senzere mines.

[1]: 361 In a major 2005 report, Human Rights Watch accused AngloGold Ashanti Kilo of providing assistance to the FNI during the 2003-2005 period in exchange for gold concessions.

[5] The company has provided assistance to the local hospital and schools, and has helped with road repair and drainage works.

[1]: 362 As of 2008 the town had a population of about 50,000, mostly Banyali and Lendu, but with people from many other ethnic groups who have been attracted by the gold mining opportunities.

[1]: 362 In December 2007 these people were thrown out of work when the Orientale Province governor Medard Autsai Asenga ordered the mine to close.

The abandoned Senzere and Makala underground mines are still being worked informally in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.