Democratic Republic of the Congo Conflict resource

as of 2010, conflict resource fueling world s deadliest war gold in congo. gold bars less traceable diamonds, , gold abundant in kivu conflict region. in case, no jewellery industry standard exists verifying gold origination, diamonds (though jeweler s total outlay on gold 5 times on diamonds). other conflict minerals being illicitly exported congo include cobalt, tungsten, cassiterite, , coltan (which provides tantalum mobile phones, , said directly sustaining conflict).

armed conflict , mineral resource looting congolese national army , various armed rebel groups, including democratic forces liberation of rwanda (fdlr) , national congress defense of people (cndp), proxy rwandan militia group, has occurred throughout late 20th century , 21st century. additionally, looting of congo s natural resources not limited domestic actors. during congo wars (first congo war (1996–1997) , second congo war (1998–2003)), rwanda, uganda , burundi particularly profited congo s resources. these governments continued smuggle resources out of congo day.

the profits sale of these minerals has financed fighting in second congo war , ongoing follow-on conflicts. control of lucrative mines has become military objective.

mines

mines in eastern congo located far populated areas in remote , dangerous regions. recent study international peace information service (ipis) indicates armed groups present @ more 50% of mining sites. @ many sites, armed groups illegally tax, extort, , coerce civilians work. miners, including children, work 48-hour shifts amidst mudslides , tunnel collapses kill many. groups affiliated rebel groups, or congolese national army, both use rape , violence control local population.