Observations/Reflections on Conflict Minerals in the DRC by Grant Edwards https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf Hum V - F Block en-us 2017-04-25 14:40:33 UTC 2025-10-22 10:12:41 UTC hello@padlet.com Corruption https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168362372
  • Armed groups control the trade of conflict minerals
    • Earn hundreds of millions of dollars each year
    • These groups fight one another and the government over control of mines, smuggling routes, and they murder/rape civilians
  • Locals in mining towns are forced to take part in this illicit mining economy
  • Minerals are smuggled out of the Congo through neighboring countries and are shipped around the world to be refined 
  • Consumer products such as cellphones, laptops, and jewelry contain these minerals (http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/conflict-minerals)


    • ]]>     2017-04-26 13:29:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168362372     Definition https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168362743 Conflict minerals: columbite-tantalite, also known as coltan (from which tantalum is derived); cassiterite (tin); gold; wolframite (tungsten); or their derivatives; or any other mineral or its derivatives determined by the Secretary of State to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country (https://www.sourceintelligence.com/what-are-conflict-minerals/)
    3Ts + gold 
    ]]>     2017-04-26 13:30:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168362743     Result of Industrialization https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363115 The invention of new technologies that use computer chips and wires containing, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. These inventions are only here because of industrialization. (https://history105.libraries.wsu.edu/fall2015/2015/08/31/conflict-minerals/)]]> 2017-04-26 13:31:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363115 Image of armed soldier controlling the retrieval of conflict minerals https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363299 2017-04-26 13:32:27 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363299 Present Day https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363300
  • 2010 - Obama signs the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, which forced American companies to disclose whether any of their products included minerals from mines controlled by armed groups in the Congo (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/conflict-minerals/gettleman-text)
  • 2017 - Trump administration has proposed to rollback laws on conflict minerals from central Africa — Congolese delegation will meet Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and head of SEC in Washington, D.C. in upcoming weeks (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-20/congo-sees-trump-roll-back-of-dodd-frank-law-stoking-insecurity)

    • ]]>     2017-04-26 13:32:28 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168363300     Deaths caused over conflict minerals https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364019 2017-04-26 13:34:01 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364019 The country’s gold wealth is preyed upon by armed groups, bandits, and corrupt elites https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364538 2017-04-26 13:35:16 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364538 The state lost out on in the easter Congo gold bloom, while armed groups, foreign miners and provincial authorities pocketed millions. https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364924 2017-04-26 13:36:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168364924 Violation of Human rights https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365162 more specifically, the use of child soldiers and violence against women

    ]]>     2017-04-26 13:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365162     Advancement in technology = increase in demand john_parker1 https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365335 The "dot com boom" in 2000 caused the price of tantalum to increase 10 times its initial value]]> 2017-04-26 13:37:16 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365335 Eastern Congo’s artisanal gold production should benefit Congolese people and the state rather than armed men and predatory companies. https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365738 For this to happen: 
    - Companies operating illegally in the Congo should be investigated, and if there is any evidence of wrongdoing, they should be prosecuted. 
    - Companies that fail to meet international supply chain due diligence standards laid out by the OECD must be held to account.
    - Artisanal miners in eastern Congo must be properly supported by the Congolese government. 

    ]]>     2017-04-26 13:38:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168365738     While Dodd-Frank is working now, the possibility remains that demand increases and conflict minerals become lucrative once again. https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367202 http://www.enoughproject.org/special-topics/progress-and-challenges-conflict-minerals-facts-dodd-frank-1502]]> 2017-04-26 13:42:09 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367202 Big Question https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367552 2017-04-26 13:43:03 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367552 Big Question https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367812 Should the government or the locals have more control over the conflict minerals?]]> 2017-04-26 13:43:44 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367812 Minerals Affect on Conflict https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367993 Minerals are used to make or buy more weapons to be able to fight more wars to be able to get more minerals]]> 2017-04-26 13:44:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168367993 Companies using conflict minerals must register with the SEC and let them know where the minerals are from. https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168368088 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27782829 

    This is more incentive to use conflict free minerals. ]]>     2017-04-26 13:44:32 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/168368088     The rebels do not like the UN. What would happen if they took a different approach? The Congo appears to need help so who is speaking up on their behalf? https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012726 2017-04-29 14:13:53 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012726 Conflict Minerals continue to be a conflict https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012759 Due to internal African clashes between FDLR, Mai Mai, other militias, and Congolese government ]]> 2017-04-29 14:14:47 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012759 Increasing the demand for minerals leads to more war in the Congo. Without totally boycotting the country and ruining their economy, how can we avoid the use of conflict minerals? https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012773 2017-04-29 14:15:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012773 Conflict Minerals: not a blessing, more of a curse https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012787 Vice Documentary]]> 2017-04-29 14:15:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012787 No Obvious Solution https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012843 Removing Conflict Minerals From Western Electronics could: 
    - Dissolve the Rebel Groups and make Congo safer
    - Remove the only source of wealth from an already poor country]]>     2017-04-29 14:16:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012843     Pros and Cons of conflict minerals john_parker1 https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012850 Conflict minerals create corruption and chaos among the Congolese people, but without it they would be even less poor than they are today.]]> 2017-04-29 14:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012850 https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012873 Goma is the center of conflict]]> 2017-04-29 14:16:53 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012873 Congolese people weren't welcoming to Vice reporters because they believe all whites are destroying their country by taking all their minerals. https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012888 2017-04-29 14:17:07 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012888 Government's inablility https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012938 The forces of the government are unable to stop the conflict in their country as it is too huge and the mines too spread out, according to the rebels in the VICE documentary the UN is not doing much to help]]> 2017-04-29 14:18:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012938 VICE https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012951 No one really seems to fully understand what is happening in the Congo. Everyone is just looking out for their own interests at the expense of the Congolese people. ]]> 2017-04-29 14:18:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012951 Kids brought into the conflict https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012961 At a young age, children were forced to work in the mines for about $1 per day]]> 2017-04-29 14:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169012961 Militias: bad or good? https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013011 While visiting a militia whose objective is to end outsider corruption in the Congo, it is brought forth that the group has a relationship with the violent FDLR]]> 2017-04-29 14:19:37 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013011 What would happen if the UN and foreign investments left he country? Is that what the militias want? https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013067 2017-04-29 14:20:39 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013067 Rights of people not that bad https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013076 From the mine seen in the VICE documentary, it seemed like children and women don't have to work anymore and that there are no armed rebels to oversee. However they only saw one mine and it could have been staged this way]]> 2017-04-29 14:20:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013076 UN lack of assistance john_parker1 https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013108 The leader of the militia who was interviewed stated that the UN does not help with any conflict in the Congo, but instead just stays where they are and collects pay checks.]]> 2017-04-29 14:21:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013108 Still a sense of community among the Congolese https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013109 General said he couldn't harm the two FDLR prisoners because they were Congo's future army]]> 2017-04-29 14:21:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013109 Irony https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013114 The newest technology relies on the most primitive methods/collections of minerals. Without the mines in Africa, phones, computers, and even jewelry would not be produced.]]> 2017-04-29 14:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013114 Question https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013152 Are the communities in the so called "bush" actually safer?]]> 2017-04-29 14:22:34 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013152 Why did the FDLR say they were working with the Mai Mai but the Mai Mai denied that? https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013258 2017-04-29 14:25:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gedwards30/ObservationsReflectionsConflictMineralsDRCf/wish/169013258