Coltan mining and the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

This paper sets out to analyse the efficacy of the international response to the link between violence and coltan mining in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The current responses are largely focusing on breaking the link by boycotting the coltan from the area through due diligence and supply chain management, based on the numerous investigations conducted on coltan mining and trade in the DRC. The paper discusses three key issues on the responses, namely the feasibility of boycotting coltan from rebel-held areas in the eastern DRC; whether boycotting coltan from rebel-held areas in the eastern DRC would break the link between the conflict, and coltan mining and trade; and the possibility of formalising the mining sector in eastern DRC.