Why is coltan mining in Congo controversial?

Besides the harm it does to food security in the eastern Congo, coltan mining is inimical to land uses such as ecotourism, game ranches, and medical research which could possibly provide better incomes and profit from the wildlife and forest land. Mining threatens the national parks across the Congo.

How is coltan affecting Congo?

Coltan mining has destroyed much of the gorillas’ natural habitat, leaving them vulnerable to poachers who kill them and sell them to coltan miners and rebel groups for food. According to park surveys, the population of eastern lowland gorillas in KBNP plummeted from 8,000 in 1991 to approximately 40 in 2005.

What is conflict coltan?

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 …

Why is coltan a conflict mineral?

However, in the DRC the situation is very different and this explains in part why Coltan is connected to conflict there. Nest explains; Weak state institutions are incapable of enforcing property rights or contracts. Production of coltan is carried out by low-paid artisanal and small-scale miners in isolated mines.

Is coltan toxic?

Coltan, which is highly toxic, is also blamed for birth defects in the areaswhere it is mined. Glenn Lesak, who heads Save The Children’s relief programme in Congo, estimates that between 5000 and 6000 child slaves are forced to work in the mines.

What country has the most coltan?

Approximately 80% of the world’s supply of Coltan is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Coltan is mined by hand in the Congo.

Is lapis lazuli conflict mineral?

“Instead, the beautiful lapis lazuli stone has become a conflict mineral. The mines provide a tiny fraction of the benefit they should, and have become a major source of conflict and grievance, which is driving the insurgency and undermining hope for stability in Afghanistan – which could have consequences globally.”

What are the 3 T minerals?

These conflict minerals are tin, tantalum, tungsten (the “3 T’s”) and gold which are mined in eastern Congo and are in all consumer electronics products, as well as products from the jewelry, automotive, aerospace, medical equipment, and many other industries.