Democratic Republic of the Congo PSA (Coltan)

OP-ED Article

I am an addict.

Today, at the age of 18, I publicly plead guilty to my own addiction. My addiction has led me to support things such as slavery, terrorism, and rape. My addiction has been so strong that I have - at almost any cost - ruthlessly pursued to feed it. Even at the expense of human life.

My drug of choice? Columbite-Tantalite or more commonly known as Coltan. Coltan is a rare and unique metallic ore that is essential in the production of nearly every single cell phone, camera, and laptop produced today. It's not a very apealing addiction when explained as simply a "metallic ore," but put in a new iPhone, laptop, digital camera, or video game system, I begin to feel the rush of it coursing through my veins. I like my Coltan wrapped in the newest designs, sleekest looks, and always fashionably trendy.

Eighty-percent of the world's Coltan is mined and produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC is currently one of the worst worn torn places in the world. For the last several years, rebel forces have been using the funds from the mining of Coltan to support this atrocious war. Routinely rebel forces are in search of men and young boys to support their mining efforts, looking for slaves, and raiding the DRC villages. Leaving behind women and young girls raped and left to fend for themselves. Media outlets refer to this war as a 'conflict,' but it's more than that. It's a byproduct of our consumer-could-careless-desires out of control. It's our simple addiction 'to have' at all costs.

Currently there are two bills in the US Congress, Bill S. 3058, the Conflict Coltan and Casserite Act of 2008 and also H.R. 4128, the Conflict Minerals Trade Act, that can bring about change to our country's dependency on Coltan. I have already sent letters to my state representatives asking them to examine and thoughtfully consider facing this issue and making a change that can make a difference in the lives of the innocent in the DRC. I hope that each of you will thoughtfully examine this issue and consider doing likewise.

The first step in recovery is admitting we have a problem and recognizing something needs to be done. And today, I realize my own addiction even our country's addiction. Something needs to be done on behalf of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Chyna Marquez

Senior, High Tech High

San Diego, CA

Coltan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Abstract

Throughout the world there are many resources that are being mismanaged. One resource is a mineral called Columbite -Tantalite (Coltan), which about every 6 in 10 people in America use on a daily basis and have no idea. Coltan is a mineral that is in many of our electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, cameras, video games and many more. The US purchases Coltan from many different countries who have this natural resource and are mining it legally. However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is one place where we purchase Coltan from where it is illegally mined. The rebel forces in the DRC are fighting over the country’s natural resources and causing pain and suffering throughout the entire country. These rebels are forcing the young children and men, in the villages they invade, to mine for Coltan in some of the worst working conditions, brutally maiming those in the village, raping and killing thousands of Congolese people. All of this over a little mineral that is in such high demand in developed countries for our electronic devices. So as a result of purchasing these electronic devices, we are fueling the war in the Congo and enabling the rebels to continue invading villages and committing these atrocities.
There have been two bills introduced into Congress, but nothing has been done about either bill. Both of these bills state that the importation of products which contain Columbite-Tantalite from the Democratic Republic of the Congo need to be prohibited. Both bills have been introduced because the illegal mining of Coltan is causing pain and suffering throughout the Congo and over 5 million are dead due to this war over the resources. With the high demand of electronic devices, in developed countries, the rebel forces will continue to mistreat the Congolese people and their country’s natural resources, until something is done to stop them. There needs to be some kind of label on devices stating that this device is “conflict-free” so we are not supporting the rebels and the horrible things they are doing in the Congo.

Letter to Representative

Dear Dianne Feinstein,
My name is Chyna Marquez and I am a student at High Tech High International. I am writing this letter to bring attention to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a mineral called Columbite-Tantalite, also known as Coltan. As you may be aware, this mineral is a key ingredient in the development of electronic boards in almost every digital component produced today.

As our the demands for cell phones, laptops, video games and other electronic devices has increased the demand for this mineral has also increased. Even though we need Coltan for these electronic devices we should be purchasing this mineral from another country that produces the ingredient or even exploring alternatives. As a result of us purchasing Coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo we are helping finance the rebels in the eastern Congo who commit horrible atrocities to those living in the villages they invade. Such as brutally maiming, killing, raping and enslaving the civilians. The men and young boys in these villages are forced to mine, in horrible working conditions, for Coltan.

There are two different bills that have been introduced to Congress, but so far nothing has happened. The first bill, Bill S. 3058 was introduced to the finance committee in 2008 and has sat in congress since then, and the second bill, the Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009 is in the senate now and demands accountability from companies who’s products contain these minerals. Its important that something be done about the mismanagement of Coltan because even though there is not a direct affect on us individually, as a country, we would be helping the lives of thousand of people in the eastern Congo.

As a country, we should all be aware and know that by purchasing these electronic devices we are helping fund a war that is killing thousands of people. We should be trying to put an end to these atrocities instead of helping fund them. While this cause is very important to me, your voice and your help would be very influential to many more people. With your help, this bill could get more publicity and attention in congress and among the public. Please thoughtfully consider putting action to these thoughts and begin making a difference in the Congo.

 

Sincerely, 
 


Chyna Marquez
2855 Farragut Road
San Diego, CA 92106-6025