Global Witness – The ITSCI Laundromat – How a due diligence scheme appears to launder conflict minerals

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda produce nearly half the world’s coltan, the main ore of tantalum, as well as large amounts of tin and tungsten ores. The metals obtained from the smelted 3T minerals are widely used in electronic equipment such as mobile phones, computers and automotive and aeronautical systems. But the Congolese army and rival armed groups have for decades viewed control of mines and the minerals trade as a vital source of income. Lack of effective governance in DRC and neighboring countries has led the trade of minerals from DRC being linked to violent conflict and serious human rights abuses.