The Congo is a land at the centre of numerous conflicts generated by the competition to exploit its rich forest and mineral resources. The mining of Coltan, an essential mineral for the hi-tech industry used in mobile phones and electronics, has not benefited local communities - on the contrary, their lands have been seized, Coltan smuggling likely provides income for the military occupation of Congo and the proceeds of mining have financed civil war, the environmental impacts are negative and citizens’ rights are seriously at risk, not to forget children’s labor is largely common. Eastern Mountain Gorilla populations are also now endangered as miners kill the gorillas for bushmeat. The Initiative by 2004 by RAID and Friends of the Earth US to render chemical North-American multinationals accountable didn’t succeed. The priest Vincent Machozi was shot dead on March 20th 2016. He was denouncing the mass killing of the Nande community, the main ethnic group in Beni-Lubero territory. This community continues decrying the on-going arbitrary killings and land dispossessions they endure. However, the multiple issues around the Coltan mining in the DR of Congo remain hard to challenge due to the political very precarious situation of the country and the persistent denial by the international community to face the problem. |
Persistent illegal Coltan mining in DR of Congo, using child labour and increasing biodiversity loss and environmental risks. On March 20th 2016, the priest Vincent Machozi was shot dead for denouncing the mass killing of the Nande community
| Name of conflict: | Coltan in the Kivu Region, DR of Congo |
| Country: | Congo, Dem. Rep. |
| State or province: | Kivu region |
| Location of conflict: | Kalonge |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Mineral Ores and Building Materials Extraction |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Mineral processing Mineral ore exploration |
| Specific commodities: | Rare metals Land Coltan |
| Project details | From 64 to 80 percent of the world's coltan is found in the Congo. Around 1,500 tons of the precious material were illegally exported from Africa in late 1998 until the Summer of 1999. People in the Congo were still dying at a rate of an estimated 45,000 per month in 2009. |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Affected Population: | 80 percent of total population. |
| Start of the conflict: | 1995 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Ericsson from Sweden Sony from Japan Swissair from Switzerland Ashmore International Energy (AEI) from United States of America NOKIA from Finland Sabena from Belgium Cabot Corporation from United States of America AVX from United States of America OM Group from United States of America Eagle Wings Resources International from United States of America Trinitech International from United States of America Vishay Sprague from United States of America Glencore Public Limited Company from Switzerland |
| Relevant government actors: | Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | IUCN - Switzerland, OECD Watch, Friends of the Earth US, Right and Accountability in Development (RAID) |
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Ethnically/racially discriminated groups |
| Forms of mobilization: | Involvement of national and international NGOs Public campaigns Street protest/marches |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality Potential: Genetic contamination, Global warming, Noise pollution, Soil erosion, Waste overflow, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Malnutrition, Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..), Occupational disease and accidents, Deaths Potential: Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..), Specific impacts on women |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Corruption Deaths, Assassinations, Murders Migration/displacement Repression |
| Development of alternatives: | The end of the civil war and the retrieve of the lands to they initial owners, the development of the mine activity in good work conditions. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | The extraction of Coltan continues financing civil wars and the repression of the native population. |
| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Contributor: | Lucie Greyl |
| Last update | 31/01/2016 |