BY AIMEE DERONDE AND SARAH ROONEY Coltan

What is Coltan? Coltan (short for columbite-tantalite) is an important substance that many people unknowingly use every day, and even fewer people know about the negative effects it causes on the environment and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Used to make tantalum capacitors, coltan is inside electronic devices we use frequently such as ink jet printers, cameras, and even cell phones!

Environmental Consequences The Democratic Republic of the Congo is where more than half of the world’s coltan is mined from. The surrounding forests have been both overrun and destroyed so coltan could be illegally sold. These circumstances has also affected Mountain Gorillas who inhabit the area. The population of these animals are being cut nearly in half as food for them becomes more scarce. The poor people of this area of the Congo are also being forced to hunt the gorillas to sell and eat their meat in order to survive.

Environmental Consequences Elephants & Apes Reduced productivity of fish Deforestation Sifting in streams.

Cultural Consequences Coltan miners are forced to work in primitive ways, similar to how people mined during the California Gold Rush in the 1840’s. Their civil rights are being abused as they mine by hand, digging off surface mud by streams to form basins. Coltan has been said to be financing the war that is currently taking place in the Congo. All parties involved in the war have been involved in the mining and sale of coltan.

Government/Industry Actions Cabot Corporation publicly announced their commitment to both not conducting business with companies who are known to illegally mine coltan and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. In September 2010, the government banned mining in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cultural Consequences Child labor laws-many children who live in Congo are forced to work in mines. “Get rich quick” scheme

The Cycle of Coltan

Our Thoughts After learning about coltan, we both agree that the steps that should be taken in order to solve the Congo’s problem are to:  Research ways to reuse and recycle coltan products.  Instead of mining in Africa, mine in Australia and Canada.  Find an alternative to coltan.