Mining in Wisconsin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Crandon Mine, Forest County, Wisconsin Spanned more than two decades Began 1976: Exxon announced discovery of zinc and copper near Crandon

Crandon Mine Early 1980s, Exxon submitted applications to begin mining Proposed sulfide mine would be near the headwaters of the Wolf River in Forest County.

Crandon Mine Over the years, permits withdrawn and resubmitted, mining project was bought and sold October 2003, the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa and the Forest County Potawatomi Communities purchased Nicolet Minerals Company (NMC) and lands associated with the proposed project site, and formally withdrew its permit applications. So-COG-in

Crandon Mine Controversy Controversial from its beginning Sulfuric acid and heavy metals from the mine could reach the Wolf River pollute water threatening tourism Hundreds of mining jobs to a region that desperately needed them. Sokaogon Chippewa feared that the mine could pollute lakes where they gather rice, threatening their way of life

Crandon Mine Viewpoints Mining corporations successfully reclaimed mines pollution controls Opponents never a successfully reclaimed sulfide mine pollution controls not effective 50 sulfide mines listed as U.S. Superfund Hazardous Waste Sites

Diverse coalition of over 50 interest groups came together to stop the Crandon Mine and call for strict regulation of mining in Wisconsin. Among the groups were the Sokaogon Chippewa, the Potawatomi, angling and hunting organizations, conservation groups, unionists, and rural and urban community members. So-COG-in

Global Mining The Crandon site was not mined, but the U.S. has not reduced its use of copper and zinc. The materials for products bought in the U.S. are often mined in other countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Large country in central Africa Wealth of natural resources One of world’s poorest countries Exploitation dates back to colonial times Armed conflict for many years

Democratic Republic of the Congo “Africa’s World War” 6 years, 7 countries 3.5 million lives – civilians – violence, starvation, disease (up to 2+ million more through 2009) Fight over natural resources Conflict officially ended in 2003 Transitional government, President Joseph Kabila Militia groups in the east continue to fight for control of region’s gold, coltan, tin, and diamond mines.

Coltan Mining Coltan (short for columbo-tantalite) Large quantities found in the eastern DRC 64% of world’s coltan reserves in DRC though not largest producer Refined to produce tantalum -- a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge Tantalum is used in capacitors in small electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and Play Stations

Coltan Mining Mining Process workers dig large holes in streambeds gather a combination of water, mud, and minerals in washtubs stir the mixture around so the coltan settles at the bottom Well paid? Average $10/month, coltan miner $10-$50 a week Mines controlled by military groups, soldiers illegally tax miners to supplement their low and erratic incomes

Path of Coltan Coltan follows a convoluted global path from ore to electronic product Large amounts of coltan are smuggled to Rwanda -- loss for the DRC’s economy Coltan travels to various countries to be processed into tantalum powder Tantalum powder is bought by companies that make tantalum capacitors, and then sold to electronics companies to produce cell phones, laptops, and video game consoles

Impossible for consumers to know if their products are helping to fuel the conflict May be difficult for many companies to be certain of the origin of this coltan. Kemet, an American company and the world’s largest maker of tantalum capacitors, has asked suppliers to certify that their coltan doesn’t come from the DRC or bordering countries

In 2000, demand and prices for coltan increased, driven by growth in electronics sector Military groups took advantage of this to continue the civil war, coltan fuelled the conflict Human rights abuses

Environmental damage: deforestation, pollution of waterways, and the killing of endangered species Large areas of forests were cleared in the DRC’s national parks Gorillas were killed for food. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, the gorilla population was almost cut in half In 2001, the price of coltan fell and demand for the mineral decreased. Since then, the price of coltan has remained low

Tin/Cassiterite In 2004, Japan and Western Europe implemented environmental regulations that forced manufacturers to use tin instead of lead in circuit boards New regulation caused the price of tin to triple, leading tin to replace coltan as the ‘mineral of choice’ in the eastern DRC

Tin Tin ore is often found with coltan and they can both be mined using similar methods Like coltan, large quantities of tin are reportedly being smuggled into Rwanda Tin from the DRC is being bought by foreign companies, and then ends up on the international market Like coltan, tin is found in common electronics, but consumers cannot trace its origin.

Question If you could create international mining guidelines that encouraged environmental, social, and economic sustainability what would they be?