In the mineral-rich provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, mining is the lifeblood of the economy and a source of profound conflict. The country is the world’s largest supplier of cobalt, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries, and a major source of coltan, used in electronics. This immense wealth is extracted through a stark duality: vast, mechanized industrial mines operated by international conglomerates exist alongside countless artisanal pits where creuseurs, or diggers, labor by hand in perilous, unstable conditions. The control over these lucrative sites, particularly for minerals like gold and the “3Ts” (tin, tungsten, tantalum), fuels and finances numerous armed groups in the eastern regions, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability.
Neighboring Uganda plays a complex role as both a miner and a conduit for regional minerals. While Uganda has its own developing mining sector for gold, limestone, and tungsten, a significant portion of its officially exported gold is widely believed to be smuggled from the artisanal mines of conflict-ridden eastern Congo. This illicit trade moves across the porous border, often finding its way to Kampala, where it is refined or certified before being launched into the global supply chain, effectively laundering its origins. The Ugandan government is attempting to formalize its own industry with new refineries, yet it continues to face international scrutiny over its role as a transit hub for conflict minerals.
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