US pushes industry to stop use of conflict minerals from war-torn Congo
By APFriday, May 14, 2010
US urges end to use of Congo conflict minerals
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is pressing American industries to end the use of so-called conflict minerals that are fueling ongoing violence in eastern Congo.
At a meeting at the State Department on Friday, U.S. officials met with executives from electronics, automotive and other companies whose products contain tungsten, tin, tantalum and gold. These minerals are often illicitly mined in the conflict zone.
The department said they discussed ways to ensure the company’s products do not contain conflict minerals.
U.S. officials and rights groups say militias in eastern Congo are forcing villagers to extract the minerals, and that profits from their sale help purchase weapons used in ongoing violence.
