A black metallic ore critical to electric vehicles, telecoms and aeronautics is funding a brutal war in the Democratic Republic of Congo—despite U.S. efforts to stop the use of so-called conflict minerals. U.S. lawmakers have sought to prevent minerals commonly mined in eastern Congo—tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold—from financing conflict in the region. Regular coltan smuggling through Rwanda makes it difficult for companies that source tantalum from international smelters to ensure that they aren’t financing conflict there. But coltan from militia-controlled areas such as Rubaya continues to flow into international supply chains, according to researchers. The U.S. government warned companies in July that traceability initiatives meant to ensure that tantalum and other Congolese minerals are conflict free, are failing.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 16, 2024 05:35 UTC