Actors Must Suspend Sourcing Minerals Financing Armed Groups in Democratic Republic of Congo

Feb 19, 2025 | IMPACT
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Over 15 years ago, the term “conflict minerals” was first coined—driving attention to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). International and regional efforts emerged to address the role that the illicit trade of high-value minerals from eastern DRC was playing in financing various armed groups and contributing to the protracted conflict and ongoing insecurity.

Private sector actors came under increasing scrutiny for their sourcing of tin, tantalum, tungsten (known as the 3Ts) and gold, with significant efforts aimed to identify and mitigate supply chain risks. Despite years of attempts to break the link between minerals and conflict, history is repeating itself.