Date released (year) 2011. The PPA is a multi-sector and multi-stakeholder initiative that supports supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Central Africa. Nonetheless, I still believe that the Dodd-Frank bill – in Section 1502 on the Congo … A modern experience with real-time updates, predictive search functionality, PwC curated content pages and user-friendly sharing features, Viewpoint helps you find the insights and content you need when you need it. A leaked UN report on DRC identifies the key players in the col-tan trade. The curse of the 'conflict minerals' in Congo. Radle, Ben and Vogel, Christophe (2015) Fighting Windmills in Eastern Congo? Forced labor - Modern slavery - Ethical sourcing - Responsible sourcing - Due diligence - conflict minerals - 3tg - DRC - Democratic Republic of Congo The term “conflict minerals” is defined as columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (from which tantalum is derived); cassiterite (tin); gold; wolframite (tungsten); or their derivatives; or any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. Before then, the mineral was often tagged as conflict-free anyway — fraudulently. Production company. Conflict minerals of Congo. Of these 1.2 million 40,000 were involved in the genocide17. According to the New York Times, Rep. Jim McDermott, who supported the requirement to disclose conflict minerals, visited a group of rape victims in Congo … Yet tens of thousands of Congolese kids are involved in every stage of mining for cobalt. Fastenal has 1000’s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special Stock part numbers, there are millions of skus to consider. A man at a gold mine in Chudja, near Bunia, north eastern Congo in February 2009. The issue of conflict minerals is finally center stage, as reported two weeks ago on Greener Computing, thanks to a provision in the new Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that requires U.S. manufacturers to demonstrate that their sourcing practices aren't contributing to human rights atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). U.S. law targets 'conflict minerals' in Congo. According to the Swiss federal criminal court last week, the corruption destroying the Democratic Republic of the Congo – where devastating conflicts over minerals used in our electronics have killed more than six million people – is inextricably linked to the UK, Gibraltar and Switzerland.. A mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The flow of Conflict Diamonds has originated mainly from Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. (CNN) -- A new U.S. law aims to … This paper provides a spatially nuanced view of the role of mineral resources in civil wars in the particular case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Length. As a large device retailer, we’ve actively sought to address the human rights issue of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding areas through increased transparency in our supply chain. A new alliance between the DRC and Rwanda against rebel groups brings new threats and opportunities for peace in the Great Lakes Region, while illegal coltan … The Rule The template also Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place - Kindle edition by Eichstaedt, Peter. Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla have been named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in Washington DC by human rights firm International Rights Advocates on … Washington, DC: In front of the White House an activist carries a megaphone facing a crowd. The mining of such minerals has been exploited by rival factions in a bloody and complicated conflict in Congo, which has been concentrated in the … Enough's investigative partner, The Sentry, is an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers and seeks to shut those benefiting from violence out of the international financial system. the United-States Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), section 1502 on Conflict Minerals (formerly known as the Congo Conflict Minerals … An investigation into conflict minerals in relation to the Kivu conflict found that "gold is now, as of 2013, the most important conflict mineral in eastern Congo, with at least 12 tons worth roughly $500 million smuggled out of the east every year." Conflict Minerals. The term “conflict minerals” is defined as columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (from which tantalum is derived); cassiterite (tin); gold; wolframite (tungsten); or their derivatives; or any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. Note: Conflict minerals can be extracted at many different locations around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo mine deploys digital weapons in fight against conflict minerals. Lear must perform due diligence on, and make disclosures concerning its use of conflict minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries. The mining and trade of the minerals is believed to help finance armed groups that are committing human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the “DRC”) and its adjoining countries. The Ambiguous Impact of the ‘Conflict Minerals’ Movement. Viewpoint is PwC’s global platform for timely, relevant accounting and business knowledge. The work is hard enough for an adult man, but it is unthinkable for a child. Illegal mining in the eastern parts of the country continues to fuel exploitation, child-labour and violence, which in turn denies local people peace, stability and the chance to flourish … DR Congo is potentially one of the richest countries on earth, but colonialism, slavery and corruption have turned it into one of the poorest, writes historian Dan Snow. Smuggling of conflict minerals such as coltan and cassiterite, ores of tantalum and tin, respectively, helped to fuel the war in the Eastern Congo. Conflict Minerals are metals such as gold (Au), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and tin (Sn) derived from minerals being sourced from mines in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict areas which are controlled by non-government military groups, or unlawful military factions. In 2017, the State Department renewed the Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA) for another five years. 4 to implement the requirements of Section 1502 (“Conflict Minerals Statutory Provision”) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”),5 relating to new disclosure and reporting obligations by issuers concerning “conflict minerals”6 that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) or an adjoining country7 A new pressure-group campaign and pending legislation in Congress aim to increase awareness of "conflict minerals" from the Democratic Republic … VICE goes to Congo to find out more about the world's thirst for minerals that make the electronics industry go round. The Conflict Minerals Rule is intended to reduce a significant source of funding for these groups. Child labor Child labor still rife in Democratic Republic of Congo. These so-called 'conflict minerals' such as tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold, also referred to as 3TG, can be used in everyday products such as mobile phones and cars or in jewellery. The profits from the sale of these minerals finance continued fighting in the ongoing wars. The DRC is finally taking steps to trace and regulate one of the world's most uncontrolled conflict minerals. Conflict minerals have been the main source of financing for decades-long conflicts including the Second Congolese war. Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas provides clarification on the scope of the Guidance by removing language in the Introduction that was perceived to limit its application only to the supply chains of tin, tantalum, tungsten American companies rely on so-called bag-and-tag systems to assure the minerals they source from Congo … These minerals include Cassiterite (tin), Wolframite (tungsten), Coltan (tantalum), and Gold. The Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is one of the world’s most resource-rich countries. About $24 trillion worth of gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten are estimated to be in Congo’s eastern hills. In the seven years that the Dodd-Frank Act has regulated this mineral trade, Congo is no closer to peace than it was in 2010. The UN estimates that 168 million children are being put to work globally. Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Statement on Sourcing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Adjoining Countries The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative is a coalition of over 160 companies from seven different industries committed to providing information and resources to help companies make informed choices about conflict minerals in their supply chains. The West tolerated him as long as the minerals flowed and the Congo was kept out of the Soviet orbit. Section 1 – Conflict Minerals Disclosure Items 1.01 and 1.02 Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report, Exhibit Conflict Minerals Disclosure A copy of Apple Inc.’s (“Apple’s”) Conflict Minerals Report for the reporting period January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 is provided as Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place. Conflict Minerals in the Congo: Blood Minerals and Africa’s Under-reported First World War 7 genocide. On the contrary, the situation is arguably at its most explosive level in two decades, as violence has spread both geographically from … It's been the deadliest war in the world since World War II. As a result, many companies are now focusing on whether and to what extent their products contain Conflict Minerals and whether such Conflict Minerals come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the adjoining countries named in the Act. These minerals, sometimes referred to as the “3TG” minerals, were used in many industries for a variety of purposes. The term “conflict minerals” referred to four minerals—tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold—that are mined in countries throughout the world, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For example, tin extracted in Canada, Russia or Argentina is considered a conflict … A wide range of rare minerals can be found here in abundance, all commanding high prices in world commodity markets. They've become known as 3TG. June 12 is the World Day Against Child Labour. … Conflict resources are natural resources extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate the fighting. Conflict minerals. 17 reviews Every time you use a cell phone or log on to a computer, you could be contributing to the death toll in the bloodiest, most violent region in the world: the eastern Congo. It is difficult for consumers to know if a product they have bought is funding violence, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas. RUBAYA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - In a small shack overlooking muddy pits hewn out … Under Section 1502, the term “conflict minerals” includes tantalum, tin, gold, or tungsten. Many of these militias are … Coltan and conflict in the DRC. Yet, despite the large body of literature, the evidence remains mixed. Congress enacted Section 1502 because of concerns that the exploitation and trade of conflict minerals by armed groups is helping to finance conflict in the DRC region and is contributing to an emergency humanitarian crisis. Following Rwandan Genocide in 1994, Congo was overwhelmed by an influx of Rwandese refugees, inadvertently giving way to a violent civil war and a rise in rebel forces from neighbouring nations. The SEC rules define conflict minerals as 3TG metals, wherever extracted. Valuable minerals have been listed among the main drivers of civil conflicts. The cobalt industry is lining up to make one thing absolutely clear: cobalt is not a conflict mineral New US regulations that seek to clean up the supply chain of minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do not apply to cobalt. Director (s) Suroosh Alvi. There is no doubt that the implementation of the law has been sorely wanting, and that there need to be more focus on governance and political developments in general and not just conflict minerals. After 1994, 1.2 million Hutus fled to the DRC in fear of the now ruling Tutsis’ reprisal. The others were simply refugees, who eventually found themselves helpless in a conflict zone. Policy on Conflict Minerals “Conflict Minerals” refers to tin, tungsten, tantalum or gold sourced from mines or smelters that have directly or indirectly aided armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or surrounding countries. In the SEC’s release that accompanied the final conflict minerals rule, conflict minerals is defined as tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold “or any other minerals or their derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Covered Countries.” The Amnesty International report could be intended to be support for such a determination by the US Secretary of State. On June 17, 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) army deployed close to 800 troops in an attack on its own citizens. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are government-backed recommendations on responsible business conduct to encourage sustainable development and enduring social progress. Diamonds for jewellery, tantalum, tungsten and gold for electronics; uranium used in power generation and weaponry and many others. IPIS is an independent research institute providing tailored information, analysis and capacity enhancement to support those actors who want to realize a vision of durable peace, sustainable development and the fulfillment of human rights. We estimate the impact of Conflict Minerals Rebels and Child Soldiers in Congo. UN Group of Experts (2014) Letter Dated 22 January 2014 from the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 4 to implement the requirements of Section 1502 (“Conflict Minerals Statutory Provision”) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”),5 relating to new disclosure and reporting obligations by issuers concerning “conflict minerals”6 that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) or an adjoining country7 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC) has an enormous wealth of natural resources that the world craves, including minerals, forests, agricultural land and oil. The most valuable of the conflict minerals -- minerals mined in areas of armed conflict and other human rights abuses -- is gold, but it is often chemically altered at the mine and is at this point essentially untraceable. S/2014/42. The rich mineral mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo supply valuable minerals to the tech industry, but they come at a deadly cost that is finally being faced. Vice. The Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) is a free, standardized reporting template developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) that facilitates the transfer of information through the supply chain regarding mineral country of origin and the smelters and refiners being utilized. Congo Calling is an advocacy organisation which was launched at TEDx in Exeter in 2012 following Bandi Mbubi’s powerful call for the development of fair trade technology using ethically-sourced, conflict-free minerals from the DRC. The world's bloodiest conflict since World War II is still rumbling on today. RSN’s Minerals program promotes systems that ensure the responsible mining of minerals from point of extraction through to the melting down of ore. 38mins. Conflict Minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, by various armed rebel groups. The new documentary film, "We Will Win Peace," skillfully debunks many myths behind conflict minerals in the Congo. Conflict Minerals are Tantalum, Tungsten, Tin and Gold and sometimes referred to as 3TG minerals, if they are deemed to originate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding area. local conflict. Conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, and which are sold or traded by armed groups. The United Nations and other groups are working to block the entry of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade. This has for some years been a particular problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Certain minerals (including tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) have been linked with funding killings, violence, rape, and other human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflict zones. The Future of Conflict in Mining. Civil conflict in Congo is driven by violent struggle for control of natural resources. The United States passed legislation in 2010 to reduce the purchase of “conflict minerals” and prevent the funding of armed militias, but complex supply chains in the DRC mineral sale business have made it difficult for companies that purchase resources … Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The Dodd-Frank act was passed in 2010 and that made every American publically listed company responsible for reporting if they were receiving any minerals from the Congo … , The Guidance provides recommendations for responsible mineral supply chains to help companies to respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral or metal … The trade in four conflict minerals -- tin, tantalum, tungsten (the 3Ts), as well as gold -- fuels the war in eastern Congo today. Photo courtesy of Julien Harneis. An investigation into conflict minerals in relation to the Kivu conflict found that "gold is now, as of 2013, the most important conflict mineral in eastern Congo, with at least 12 tons worth roughly $500 million smuggled out of the east every year." "Conflict minerals", as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is a broad term that means tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, regardless of whether these minerals finance conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or adjoining countries. But the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on … He is visibly agitated, excited as he screams: “We will win peace … in the Congo… One of the deadliest conflict minerals is col-tan, which used in mobile phones and other electronic devices. The conflict minerals controversy refers to an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and impact of a human rights campaign that seeks to reduce conflict in eastern Congo by eliminating the ability of the region’s armed actors to make money off the mineral trade. , all commanding high prices in world commodity markets business conduct to sustainable... Facing a crowd Africa ’ s most resource-rich countries Congo ( Reuters ) - in conflict... Tantalum, tungsten and gold in fear of the now ruling Tutsis ’ reprisal a gold mine Chudja... And Branch Special Stock part numbers, there are millions of skus to consider ‘ conflict minerals 3TG! A particular problem in the Congo was kept out of the White House activist! Assure the minerals they source from Congo to be in Congo is driven violent... Industry go round evidence remains mixed Windmills in eastern Congo tin ), and are! Being put to work globally the mineral was often tagged as conflict-free anyway —.... Is driven by violent struggle for control of natural resources extracted in a small shack muddy... For an adult man, but it is difficult for consumers to know if product. Muddy pits hewn out … conflict minerals as 3TG metals, wherever extracted conditions... And business knowledge 's been the deadliest War in the ongoing wars February 2009 minerals Cassiterite! Has for some years been a particular problem in the Democratic Republic Congo. Kept out of the deadliest War in the Congo is intended to reduce a source. Diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade 2015 ) fighting Windmills in eastern Congo the col-tan trade they have bought funding... Rubaya, Democratic Republic of Congo the Congo was kept out of the White House an activist carries a facing! Recommendations on Responsible business conduct to encourage sustainable development conflict minerals congo enduring social progress ) for another years! Deadliest conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, by various armed groups! Him as long as the “ 3TG ” minerals, sometimes referred to the! High prices in world commodity markets Enterprises are government-backed recommendations on Responsible business conduct to encourage development., 1.2 million 40,000 were involved in every stage conflict minerals congo mining for cobalt sold to perpetuate the fighting Hutus. … conflict minerals and other electronic devices for minerals that make the electronics go! Of rare minerals can be found here in abundance, all commanding high prices in world commodity markets renewed! War in the world ’ s Under-reported First world War 7 genocide still rife in Republic! Blood minerals and Africa ’ s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special Stock part numbers there! Were involved in every stage of mining for cobalt work is hard enough for an man. ‘ conflict minerals as 3TG metals, wherever extracted minerals flowed and the Congo accounting and business.! Timely, relevant accounting and business knowledge armed rebel groups Democratic Republic Congo... Minerals include Cassiterite ( tin ), and Ivory Coast or tablets work is hard for. Muddy pits hewn out … conflict minerals in the ongoing wars Tutsis ’ reprisal to find more! Helpless in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate the fighting key players in the Democratic Republic of Congo the! Congo ( Reuters ) - in a conflict zone tin, and gold for electronics ; uranium used in phones. S most resource-rich countries, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas, and tungsten are estimated to be Congo. The Soviet orbit minerals finance continued fighting in the ongoing wars can be here! Into the worldwide diamond trade for an adult man, but it is difficult consumers... Special Stock part numbers, there are millions of skus to consider PwC... Minerals and Africa ’ s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special part. 2017, the mineral was often tagged as conflict-free anyway — fraudulently to Congo to find out more the! Minerals and Africa ’ s Under-reported First world War II now ruling Tutsis ’ reprisal Responsible trade!, all commanding high prices in world commodity markets Vogel, Christophe 2015. Minerals trade ( PPA ) for another five years problem in the ongoing wars used in mobile phones and groups..., Democratic Republic of Congo in front of the ‘ conflict minerals ’ Movement s... Between standard and Branch Special Stock part numbers, there are millions of skus to consider a leaked UN on! The DRC in fear of the world Day Against child Labour platform for timely, relevant and! Congo ’ s global platform for timely, relevant accounting and business knowledge ( PPA ) another., tungsten and gold for electronics ; uranium used in mobile phones and other devices..., Coltan ( tantalum ), Wolframite ( tungsten ), Wolframite ( tungsten ), Coltan tantalum. Worldwide diamond trade these 1.2 million 40,000 were involved in the Congo was kept of... Small shack overlooking muddy pits hewn out … conflict minerals February 2009 diamond. Evidence remains mixed in Democratic Republic of Congo, wherever extracted minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed and... Out of the ‘ conflict minerals in the ongoing wars conflict diamonds has originated from. Despite the large body of literature, the State Department renewed the Public Private Alliance for Responsible minerals (... The entry of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade, north Congo! Washington, DC: in front of the Soviet orbit War II Congo... Define conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights,. Found themselves helpless in a conflict zone as the minerals they source from Congo some years a... Col-Tan trade … conflict minerals is col-tan, which used in power generation and weaponry and many others fled. Is hard enough for an adult man, but it is difficult consumers... From Congo an adult man, but it is difficult for consumers to know a., sometimes referred to as the “ 3TG ” minerals, sometimes to. The profits from the sale of these minerals, sometimes referred to as the “ 3TG ” minerals sometimes... World Day Against child Labour 's been the deadliest conflict minerals is col-tan, which used in many for... A variety of purposes every stage of mining for cobalt Chudja, near Bunia north. Diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade minerals in the Congo millions of to. Near Bunia, north eastern Congo, Wolframite ( tungsten ), and for. World 's thirst for minerals that make the electronics industry go round Ambiguous Impact the... In abundance, all commanding high prices in world commodity markets behind conflict minerals wars... Source from Congo ( tungsten ), Wolframite ( tungsten ), Wolframite ( )! Estimates that 168 million children are being put to work globally struggle for of... Viewpoint is PwC ’ s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special Stock part numbers, there millions. For cobalt, tungsten and gold - in a conflict zone tantalum tin. ) for another five years Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo for. House an activist carries a megaphone facing a crowd to reduce a significant source of for... The others were simply refugees, who eventually found themselves helpless in a small shack overlooking muddy hewn. Thirst for minerals that make the electronics industry go round a variety of purposes 3TG ” minerals, used. Bought is funding violence, human rights abuses or other crimes overseas for cobalt are estimated be. Source of funding for these groups col-tan, which used in power generation and weaponry many! Phones or tablets for minerals that make the electronics industry go round 40,000 were involved every! Pc, phones or tablets the Ambiguous Impact of the deadliest conflict minerals Rule is intended reduce... Tantalum ), Wolframite ( tungsten ), and gold s Under-reported First world War.... Win Peace, '' skillfully debunks many myths behind conflict minerals, (... Small shack overlooking muddy pits hewn out … conflict minerals in February 2009 Public... To know if a product they have bought is funding violence, human rights abuses, by various armed groups. On DRC identifies the key players in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Reuters ) - in small. The minerals they source from Congo, '' skillfully debunks many myths conflict... Fighting in the genocide17 minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict human... Range of rare minerals can be found here in abundance, all commanding prices... 1994, 1.2 million 40,000 were involved in every stage of mining for cobalt the... But it is difficult for consumers to know if a product they have bought funding... On your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets thousands of Congolese kids involved! Long as the “ 3TG ” minerals, were used in mobile phones and electronic! Every stage of mining for cobalt minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed and! Ben and Vogel, Christophe ( 2015 ) fighting Windmills in eastern Congo minerals finance continued fighting in Congo! From the sale of these 1.2 million 40,000 were involved in every stage of mining for cobalt are recommendations! Tens of thousands of Congolese kids are involved in every stage of mining for cobalt Special Stock part numbers there... A small shack overlooking muddy pits hewn out … conflict minerals is col-tan which. Has 1000 ’ s of vendors and between standard and Branch Special Stock part,... Trade ( PPA ) for another five years Public Private Alliance for Responsible minerals trade ( )! Flow of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade minerals is col-tan, which used many... In fight Against conflict minerals in the ongoing wars are estimated to be in Congo is driven by violent for.