Coltan, the Congo and Your Cell Phone

摘要: Civil wars often concern and are frequently extended by the presence of natural resources (e.g., diamonds in Sierra Leone). Control over Coltan ores eastern part Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) has helped to fund domestic militia foreign armies, prolonging war crimes human rights abuses committed there many years. From extracted metals tantalum niobium which have several uses advanced technology products, notably high density capacitors used cameras, mobile phones other compact electronic devices. One principal sources been DRC. The United Nations Security Council supported peace-making efforts It also sought eliminate flow funds groups through their sale or “taxes” imposed on such sales. International Court Justice (ICJ) held that removal an occupying army is looting a crime. OECD developed guidelines for due diligence multi-national corporations should use ensure provenance minerals might originate from This supports UN its suppress funding engaged abuses. USA legislated require diligence, auditing public reporting minerals. Its Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) detailed requirements users possible “conflict minerals”. Other jurisdictions, including European Union (EU), under pressure follow this example. Industry established voluntary procedures complement certifying source final products. While much progress made, still considerable work required traceability ores, both terms geochemistry audited documentation.