Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) illegally exported at least 150 metric tonnes of coltan to Rwanda in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The UN experts highlighted this as the largest contamination of the Great Lakes Region’s mineral supply chain in over a decade.
The illegal trade began after the M23 rebel group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of the mineral-rich Rubaya area in April 2024. M23’s dominance over transport routes allowed minerals from Rubaya to mix with Rwanda’s production, complicating the supply chain for global tech manufacturers reliant on coltan for devices like smartphones and computers.
The rebels created a “mining ministry” in the occupied territory, monopolizing coltan exports to Rwanda and generating $800,000 monthly in taxes. They also increased miners’ wages and enforced labor to maintain operations.
The DRC government has taken legal action, filing criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries for allegedly using conflict minerals, claims which Apple denies.
This development raises concerns for companies under pressure to ensure ethical sourcing of materials and underscores the ongoing challenges in regulating conflict minerals from the region.