Topic: Conflict Diamonds and Minerals

All Content

Africa Monitor
Congo army reclaims two mines from rebel groups

Congolese civil society and mining associations say these mines should now be guarded by specially trained mining police to better guarantee the end of conflict minerals.
Africa Monitor
Nokia publishes policy on African conflict minerals

Nokia says it will not buy mineral products that benefit armed groups or those engaging in human rights abuses. Guest blogger Curt Hopkins asks how they will implement their policy. 
Africa Monitor
New Apple report shows efforts to avoid conflict minerals in supply chain

Apple traced four conflict minerals, but could become industry leader by creating a conflict-free certification process, reports guest blogger Sasha Lezhnev.
Africa Monitor
UN says Dodd-Frank Congo conflict minerals bill is working

The controversial Dodd-Frank bill, intended to block armed groups from reaping profits from Congo's mineral mining industry, is making inroads, according to a UN Group of Experts on Congo.
Africa Monitor
Europe can improve upon US's 'conflict minerals' legislation: ICG

The European Union is debating how best to handle the issue of conflict minerals. International Crisis Group says it should not merely follow in the United States' footsteps, but go further.
Africa Monitor
Congo conflict minerals bill hurts the miners it hopes to help

Guest blogger Laura Seay writes that a US ban on conflict minerals amounts to a de facto boycott of the Congolese mining industry, hurting Congo's civilians by removing a key source of income.
Africa Monitor
Small but positive signs of progress with Congo's 'conflict minerals'

Recent actions taken against Congo's 'conflict mineral' trade by companies and the international community signal that although progress is slow, it is happening.
Africa Monitor
US city councils join the battle against Congo's 'conflict minerals'

A handful of cities in the US are exploring ways to make sure that their public funds are not inadvertently fueling the conflict in Congo.
Africa Monitor
Is Congo's mineral trade really the key to the country's conflict?

While conflict minerals are certainly an important factor in Congo's conflict, guest blogger Laura Seay is not convinced they're the most important factor.
Africa Monitor
Congolese living in mining region blame 'Obama's law' for economic struggles

There is widespread misunderstanding in Congo about US legislation targeting conflict minerals.
Africa Monitor
California takes decisive step against Congo's conflict minerals

A bill prohibiting the state from working with companies that don't comply with regulations on conflict minerals has passed the state Senate committee.
Africa Monitor
'Naming and shaming' may not be enough to halt conflict mining in Congo

While 'naming and shaming' tactics are gaining momentum in the fight against Congo's conflict minerals, they won't be enough if the trade just shifts to India and China.
Africa Monitor
Congo needs a US envoy, Ben Affleck tells Congress

At a House subcommittee hearing, Ben Affleck and Enough Project founder John Prendergast said the US needs to make a stronger commitment to ending the conflict in Congo by appointing a special envoy.
Africa Monitor
Congo lifts mining ban

The Enough Project writes that the ban, imposed by President Joseph Kabila in September, created more problems than it solved.
Africa Monitor
California leads US in taking a swing against Congo's conflict minerals

California is the first state to consider its own legislation to ease conflict minerals mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo out of the supply chain for electronics.
Conflict minerals: Genocide in your gadgets?

Firms try to limit conflict minerals in electronics. It's no easy task.
As Ivory Coast's Gbagbo holds firm, 'blood diamonds' flow for export

As Ivory Coast's renegade President Laurent Gbagbo shrugs off international attempts to isolate his regime, smugglers continue to export 'blood diamonds' in contravention of a United Nations ban.
Africa Monitor
Can 'naming and shaming' bring an end to Congo's conflict mineral mining?

Guest blogger Laura Seay expresses doubts about the potential for 'naming and shaming' to convince companies to eliminate Congo's conflict minerals from their supply chain.
Africa Monitor
OPINION: Congo conflict minerals legislation needs to go further

The proposed legislation regulating US trade in Congo's conflict minerals lacks the specificity and oversight to fully tie the hands of US companies trading in conflict minerals.
Africa Monitor
This Week in the Great Lakes: Congo and UN tango over child soldiers while US preaches engagement

A holiday season roundup of this week's news from Africa's Great Lakes region: women march in the Congo for more legal action against rapists, Rwandan journalists petition for changes to defamation laws, and Al Shabab remains a threat in Burundi.
Africa Monitor
Group aids consumers' efforts to eliminate support for Congo's 'conflict minerals'

In a report released this week, the Enough Project ranks electronics companies based on their progress on eliminating 'conflict minerals' from their products. Consumers should take note.
Africa Monitor
US legislation on Congo's 'conflict minerals,' explained

A congressional staffer explains recently passed legislation that aims to reduce Congo's "conflict minerals" industry by making it easier for activists to target US companies who import minerals from the Congo.
Zimbabwe diamond ban: Will it work?

The US-based Rapaport Diamond Trading Network announced a Zimbabwe diamond ban Monday, but will it have the desired effect of preventing child labor and forced labor?
Terrorism & Security
Zimbabwe restarts diamond sales amid 'blood diamond' accusations

'Blood diamond' watchdog, the Kimberly Process, supervised the $72 million diamond sale Tuesday, but a human rights group claims miners work at gunpoint.
Diamond auction in Zimbabwe features controversy-plagued stones

Diamond auction will sell hundreds of thousands of carats of rough diamonds mined from an area where human rights groups say soldiers killed 200 people, raped women and forced children into hard labor.