Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Conflict Minerals Under Study in US Congress

VOA News - November 26, 2009
Enough Project ranks compagnies on conflict minerals

Bipartisan legislation on so called "conflict minerals" was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill is designed to create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices when they purchase electronic devices like cell phones.

Bipartisan legislation on so called "conflict minerals" was recently introduced in the US House of Representatives. Conflict minerals are metals mined in war-torn countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo - that are imported for key elements in electronic products. The bill is designed to create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices when they purchase electronic devices like cell phones.

Most electronic devices used on a daily basis all over the world contain minerals that are fueling a gruesome war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott says that demand for tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold from the DRC will not stop until consumers have better information about their place of origin.

"The worldwide demand for those minerals will not go away until you and I throw away our blackberries, cell phones and everything else that use these minerals in very small amount," said Jim McDermott.

Congressman McDermott is not saying that consumers should throw away their cell phones. He and others introduced the Conflict Minerals Trade Act to require more information about the metals used in electronic devices.  It also would prohibit US-based companies from importing products containing so-called "conflict minerals." 

McDermott says he wants corporations to stop purchases that incite conflict between armed groups fighting for these minerals.

"The bill will create transparency and allow consumers to make informed choices, and it will make it easier for America to vote for peace not for war in the DRC," he said.

Enough, a project of the liberal Center for American Progress, launched a campaign against conflict minerals. It has released information about the journey of the so called 3 Ts (Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum) and other metals mined in the DRC. John Norris is the organization's executive director:

"We are able to demonstrate the very clear path that minerals take from militia and rebel held areas to middle men often in Uganda and Rwanda, to smelters usually in the Far East and showing there are ways to track these minerals," said John Norris. "And there are effective responses to deal with the problem."

The project worked with 21 of the largest electronics companies to build a consensus. But not all of them are on board yet.

"We've dealt with some companies that are much more progressive or are willing to discuss this issue very seriously with us," he said. "Others have been far less responsive."

He says he will release the list of hold-outs next year. 

As to the bill, the congressman was noncommittal about when it might pass. 

"I am sure when people get an understanding of what this bill is all about, it will move," said Congressman McDermott. "I think it's a very realistic bill so I am optimistic."

The Kimberley Process, regulating conflict diamonds, served as the model for the bill. The process certifies the origins of rough diamonds so diamonds coming from war zones do not reach consumers. Serge Tshamala, Economic Counselor at the DRC Embassy in Washington, welcomes the new bill.

"We are trying to stabilize the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and we need assistance like this," said Serge Tshamala. " It will also discourage companies from dealing with illegal armed groups who are exploiting these minerals. "

Senator Sam Brownback, a Republican, supports the bill as do humanitarian organizations, advocacy groups and some industry leaders.

This doesn't mean that people will start throwing away their electronic devices tomorrow but the sponsors of the bill hope it's a first step toward responsible consumption.


Related articles


  1. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  2. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  3. DR Congo Scores High on Growth, Lags in Poverty Reduction: IMF (October 13, 2015)
  4. Congo Improves Natural Resources Accounting (July 4, 2014)
  5. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  6. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  7. U.S. sending more personnel to Uganda to hunt LRA leader Joseph Kony (March 24, 2014)
  8. Bosco Ntaganda Attacked Civilians on Ethnic Grounds, ICC Prosecutor Says (February 10, 2014)
  9. New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys (February 5, 2014)
  10. Congo Army Takes Control of Mbuzi Hill From M23 Rebels (November 4, 2013)
  11. U.S. Sanctions Rwanda Over Use of Child Soldiers by M23 Rebels (October 4, 2013)
  12. Rwandan Support for M23 Rebels Frustrates Attempts to End Fighting in Eastern Congo (September 26, 2013)
  13. M23 Rebels Fired Shells Into Rwanda, Not Congo Army, UN Says (August 30, 2013)
  14. UN Security Council debate focuses on peace efforts for Africa's Great Lakes region (July 25, 2013)
  15. U.S. Tells Rwanda to Remove Its Military Personel From Eastern Congo (July 23, 2013)
  16. Warlord Bosco Ntaganda Turns Himself In at US Embassy in Rwanda (March 18, 2013)
  17. Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
  18. Obama Tells Kagame to Stop Support for M23 Rebels in Eastern Congo (December 19, 2012)
  19. U.S. Sanctions M23 Rebel Leaders (December 18, 2012)
  20. The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
  21. DR Congo Will Not Negotiate With M23 Rebels, Government Says (November 19, 2012)
  22. U.S. Treasury Department Sanctions M23 Rebel Leader (November 13, 2012)
  23. M23 Rebels Committing War Crimes (September 11, 2012)
  24. U.S. SEC requires company disclosures on use of DR Congo minerals (August 23, 2012)
  25. Kagame May Face War Crimes Charges at the ICC, Says US Official (July 26, 2012)
  26. US Cuts Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support to Rebels in DR Congo (July 21, 2012)
  27. DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
  28. U.S. Tells Rwanda to Stop Supporting Rebels in DR Congo (July 2, 2012)
  29. U.S. and U.K. Must Tell Rwanda to Stop Supporting Rebels in DR Congo, Global Witness Says (June 29, 2012)
  30. Kagame Is A Problem for The U.S. and The U.K. (June 23, 2012)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.