Mining
This page is where you will be able to link to articles and videos related to the mining of Congo's resources, particulary of coltan for tantalum supplies, by large corporations and the direct correlation of the armed conflicts.
Coltan is short for Columbite-tantalite. When refined, it is the vital element within mobile phones, laptop computers, pagers, and other electronic devices.
| Link | Summary |
| Cellular-news.com | What is Coltan? (Columbite-tantalite). An explanation of this is a metallic ore comprising Niobium and Tantalum and is " ...a vital component in the capacitors that control current flow in cell phone circuit boards." |
| TheStandard.com | Guns, Money and Cell Phones: "The link between the bloodshed and coltan is causing alarm among high-tech manufacturers. Slowly they are beginning to grapple with the possibility that their products may contain the tainted fruits of civil war. |
| FriendsOfTheCongo.org | Some shocking facts behind mining - a must read
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| FriendsOfTheCongo.org | "Who are the primary exploiters of Coltan in the Congo? The coltan mined by rebels and foreign forces is sold to foreign corporations. This bold and informative article lists the "major player" corporations which serve as "the engine of the conflict in the DRC", the second tier companies, and what electronic devices are made from coltan. |
| GlobalIssues.org | A reprint of the original article "Guns, Money and Cell Phones'' from the publication "The Industry Standard" and looks into the economic reasons behind the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the commercial interests of major computer and cell phone related companies in the exploitation of the DRC which comes at a massive cost to civilian life. |
| BBC News | Congo's coltan rush |
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6 videos have been added on our YouTube Playlist link: Pulitzer Center: In Focus: Congo's Bloody Coltan - Explanation of the mining and exploitation of Congo and the conflicts which result. Deadliest Conflict Since World War II: Part 2: Corporations Reaping Millions Grand Theft Congo - DRC: Current.com - A bit dated (2006) but excellent information about the mining sites. Workers make about 25 cents a day for mining with their hands (and being suspected unwittingly to mercury poisoning). Some of the miners are former child soldiers (who were soldiers as young as six-years old). |
| UN.int | United Nations coltan primer |
| CarterCenter.org | Carter Center - Contains lots of info on mining |
| un.int | Mining Newsletter by UN.int |
Please check back - This page is being developed