Falling Coltan Prices

The fall in coltan prices is forcing rebels in eastern Congo to seek alternative means of revenue, according to a report by Refugee International. Profits from the exploitation of coltan have been a major source of income for the Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD) rebel movement that controls much of the region.
Although the price of coltan has dropped dramatically, many people in eastern Congo are still working in coltan mines. For them, it is still more profitable to sell coltan than beans or other crops from their fields. Others, however, have lost their job, and often they see no other alternative for surviving than to exploit other resources (e.g. wildlife) or to join rebel groups.

The Belgian NGO IPIS (International Peace Information Service) published a report called "Supporting the War Economy in the DRC: European Companies and the Coltan Trade" on 14 January 2002. Another coltan report was published by the Pole Institute in Goma.

Democratic Republic of Congo overview

Homepage