Is It Time to Roll Back the Conflict Minerals Rule?

Feb 5, 2017 | Gary Emmanuel
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It’s well documented that conflict over lucrative mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major driver of brutal violence, forced labor, rape and other forms of human rights abuses. With mineral wealth estimated to be worth $24 trillion, the DRC has some of the largest mineral reserves in the world. Cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, gold, wolframite and their derivatives - so-called “conflict minerals” - are in high demand and used to make everyday consumer products such as mobile phones, computers, game consoles and cameras. Cash from the mines that produce these conflict minerals is an important source of income for armed militias in war-ravaged DRC fueling a conflict that has cost the lives of millions.