"No blood on my mobile phone" - This slogan published by a Belgian human rights
organization as part of a famous campaign gives a glimpse on what disadvantages the
increasing digitalization and globalization has on our society.1 It refers to a material which is
used in almost any device of our daily life. We are talking about coltan, one of the rarest and
most sought commodities in the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) owes
hereby one of the largest mineral deposits, but due to the illegal exploitation of natural
resources it is at the same time one of the most affected countries.1 The DRC is rich in various
minerals, but because of years of dictatorships and wars that lasted in Congo since the
beginning of the so-called First Congo War in 1996, there was not only the death of up to an
estimated 5.4 million people, but also the dissolving of ordered structures and the economic
system.2 In the context of rival rebel groups, government militias as well as occupying forces
from neighbouring countries like Rwanda and Uganda one can also find a number of foreign
companies that take advantage from the lack of structure and use it for tracking economic
interests. Over the last decades a web of corruption, exploitation and trafficking developed,
through which it was possible for the beneficiaries of the conflict to achieve their profit.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The resource wealth of the DRC and the importance of coltan for the world market
- The coltan commodity chain - from the mines of the DRC into our mobile phones
- The Exploitation of Coltan and the Finance of the Conflict
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the influence of economic interests, particularly those of the high-tech industry, on the continuation and intensification of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The main thesis is that the economic interests of external actors contribute to the ongoing conflict in the DRC.
- The significance of coltan as a vital resource for the global technology industry
- The complex and often illegal commodity chain of coltan from the mines of the DRC to international manufacturers
- The role of conflict minerals in financing rebel groups and perpetuating conflict
- The ethical implications of the exploitation of coltan in the DRC
- The potential for sustainable and conflict-free sourcing of coltan
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The introduction sets the stage by discussing the significance of coltan in the context of globalization and the exploitation of resources in the DRC. It highlights the impact of conflict and the involvement of various actors in the trade of coltan.
- The second chapter delves into the resource wealth of the DRC, focusing on the importance of coltan for the global market. It explores the history of coltan extraction and the growing demand for this vital mineral due to technological advancements.
- The third chapter examines the intricate coltan commodity chain, tracing its journey from the mines of the DRC to international manufacturers. It explores the complex network of actors involved, including artisanal miners, local traders, and multinational companies, and discusses the challenges of ethical sourcing.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the key themes of conflict minerals, coltan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the high-tech industry, global supply chains, ethical sourcing, and the economic and humanitarian implications of conflict resource extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of the essay on coltan in the DRC?
The essay analyzes how the economic interests of the high-tech industry contribute to the continuation and intensification of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Why is coltan so important for the global market?
Coltan is a vital resource for the global technology industry, used in almost every modern electronic device, including mobile phones and laptops.
How does the coltan trade finance conflicts in the DRC?
The illegal exploitation and trafficking of coltan provide funding for rival rebel groups and government militias, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability.
What are the human consequences of the conflict in the Congo?
Since the beginning of the First Congo War in 1996, an estimated 5.4 million people have died, and the country's economic and social systems have largely dissolved.
Who are the main actors in the coltan commodity chain?
The chain involves artisanal miners in the DRC, local traders, occupying forces from neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda, and multinational high-tech companies.
Is it possible to have conflict-free coltan?
The essay explores the potential for sustainable and conflict-free sourcing, though it highlights significant challenges due to the web of corruption and lack of ordered structures in the region.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2013, The illegal exploitation of coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/275940
