What are ‘conflict minerals’?

Conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, and which are sold or traded by armed groups. This has for some years been a particular problem in theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC). TheDRC’s mineral wealth is enormous. It is estimated that the country contains between 65-80% of the world’s columbite-tantalite (coltan) reserves, 49% of its cobalt reserves, and 3% of its copper reserves. Gold and diamond deposits remain under explored. Industrial Diamond reserves are estimated at 25% of world reserves.

Alongside international partners there has been work to ensure that theDRC’s mineral wealth is brought under legitimate control, as a source of revenue for the state and the local population, thereby restricting financial support to armed groups.

Mineral / Description / Major uses /
Cassiterite / Ore from which tin is extracted / Plating and solders for joining pipes and electronic circuits
Columbite-tantalite / Ore from which tantalum is extracted / Electrical components (including those used in mobile phones, computers, videogame consoles), aircraft and surgical components
Gold / Rare metal found in a native (pure) form and obtained as a by-product of other mining operations / Jewelry, electronic, communications and aerospace equipment
Wolframite / Ore from which tungsten is extracted / Metal wires, electrodes and contacts in lighting, electronic, electrical, heating and welding applications

Who mines the conflict minerals?

It’s no coincidence that the mineral mines are situated in the areas home to the bloodiest violence and conflict. The mines are controlled by the government troops (FARDC) or the rebels they’re fighting (principally the FDLR), though both deny any involvement. The mines and the communities around them are controlled with an iron fist and conditions for the men and children who serve as the miners and porters are extremely tough.

Most miners only barely earn enough to survive. Many don’t even manage that. Few if any of the mines are large-scale industrial ones owned by international companies. They are hand-built artesan mines, with the only tools available being shovels and a lot of hard labor.

Conflict Minerals in Your Electronics

If you own a mobile phone, or an mp3 player then it’s likely that you’ve got a little piece of the Congo in your pocket right now. Coltan / Tantalum. Coltan is short for Columbite-tantalite – a black tar-like mineral found in major quantities in the Congo. The Congo possesses 80 percent of the world’s coltan, but only mines a fraction of it. When coltan is refined it becomes a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electric charge. It's a vital component in a vast array of small electronic devices, especially in mobile phones, laptop computers, pagers, and other electronic devices.

Gold is the biggest source of conflict mineral trade in Congo and is most responsible for the ongoing bloody conflicts. Gold has soared in price on the commodity markets in recent years, and Congo is literally sitting on a gold-mine worth tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars. Despite promises by President Kabila to clean up the mining industry, corruption remains rife and thousands of small-scale unofficial mines scatter the country.

Tin / Cassiterite. Cassiterite is a tin oxide which is mined extensively in Congo. The refined tin is used in most household electronic items as it's used as the solder for circuit boards.

Tungsten is a dense metal used in everything from light bulbs to TVs. Formula One cars to bullets. It's also used in mobile phones.

The supply chain

Companies can, knowingly or unknowingly, be affected by the risk of supply chain contamination with conflict minerals. This can occur at a number of stages, whether mining or trading in the eastern provinces ofDRC, in an adjoining country, or further along the chain.

Companies, whether at the ‘upstream’ stage of the supply chain (i.e. from mine to smelter) or at the ‘downstream’ stage (i.e. from smelter to end user), are at risk of using conflict minerals. Minerals are traded and processed by upstream stakeholders, before being used in downstream manufacturing products, including in the electronics, automotive, aerospace, defence, software, pharmaceutical and other industries.

Plans towards improved investigation and the requirement of companies to ‘know-your-provider’ have increased to try and lessen the buying and selling of conflict minerals. Initiatives that seek to ensure conflict-free mineral trade from theDRCinclude: the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative, a certification mechanism by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

Who profits?

Not the miners. The mineral trade is a valuable source of income for government soldiers and rebels alike – they often don’t receive any salary. But it’s only the people right at the top of the hierarchy – the war lords and army commanders - that are really making any money though. And that money is usually used to buy more weapons and ammunition to maintain their control of the territory and population. And so the cycle of violence continues.