Inside Mine That Feeds the Tech World, Funds Congo’s Rebels

Inside Mine That Feeds the Tech World, Funds Congo’s Rebels
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A Reuters investigation has shed light on a coltan mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is fueling the global tech industry while also funding a rebel group. The mine, located in the town of Rubaya, is controlled by M23 rebels, a group that the United Nations says is backed by neighboring Rwanda.

The mine produces a significant portion of the world’s coltan, a mineral that is a key component in mobile phones, computers, and aerospace parts. The ore is dug by impoverished locals who earn only a few dollars per day. According to a UN report, the M23 rebels are profiting from this trade by imposing a 15% tax on mineral traders, generating an estimated $800,000 per month.

The report also highlights the perilous and unregulated conditions at the mine, where children are seen working alongside adults. The investigation notes that despite efforts by various organizations to clean up the region’s supply chain and prevent human rights abuses, these efforts have largely failed, and the profits from illegal mining continue to fund the ongoing conflict.