Conflict Minerals: Recap

By Isabella Miller on 05/24/2010 @ 12:00 PM

We've all been following the tragic story of rape and other forms of violence against women in conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has recently brought attention to an underlying aspect of this crisis; the sale of “Conflict Minerals.”

Rebel groups control all industry and economic development in the Great Lakes region of Africa. These armed groups make $180 million per year through their control of mines and trading routes throughout the region. The sale of minerals produced in these mines enables the rebels to purchase large numbers of weapons to continue their brutal violence against helpless civilians.

Unfortunately, in the Western world, these “Conflict Minerals” are a part of our daily lives. Minerals such as tantalum, tin, and tungsten (referred to as the “Three T’s”) are key components in our cell phones, laptops, and digital cameras. Even the jewelry we wear includes some of these minerals.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been one of the strongest voices on this issue. When she traveled to Eastern Congo last August, she addressed the issue of conflict minerals outright:

"With respect to companies that are responsible for what are now being called conflict minerals, I think the international community must start looking at steps we can take to try to prevent the mineral wealth from the DRC ending up in the hands of those who fund the violence here."

"Every time someone uses a certain type of cell phone, they are using minerals that come right out of eastern Congo. What does that do for the people that I saw on the way from the airport into the city? Nothing. It helps them in no way."

Bi-partisan legislation is pending in Congress that addresses this important issue. A bill offered in the House by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and in the Senate by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) would put in place a system of regulations that would stop companies from importing conflict minerals into the United States.

On May 25, 2010, the House Foreign Relations Committee is holding a hearing to discuss the issue of conflict minerals. Testifying is Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jonnie Carson and the ENOUGH Project’s John Prendergast.

Ask your senator and representative to sign the Congo Conflict Minerals Act (S. 891) in the Senate and the Conflict Minerals Trade Act (H.R. 4128) making its way through the House. Watch here for more updates. To learn more about conflict minerals, watch a helpful video by the ENOUGH Project below.

Click to watch the video by the ENOUGH Project.

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