The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has significant ramifications not only for local communities but also for global industries reliant on critical minerals. As a primary supplier of tantalum and cobalt—essential components for electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, and military technology—the instability in this region creates a ripple effect that disrupts supply chains and inflates prices worldwide.
At the heart of this crisis is the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, which, with backing from Rwandan intelligence, has leveraged artisanal mining networks for its operations. The situation raises serious questions about the integrity of certification systems designed to ensure conflict-free sourcing, such as the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) and the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI). The current geopolitical turmoil has intensified a global search for alternatives to these critical minerals, exacerbated by rising demand and dwindling supplies. Since late 2024, tantalum prices have significantly increased, illustrating how localized violence can destabilise broader economic sectors, including renewable energy and defence.
The scale of DRC’s mineral wealth is staggering; it produced 220,000 metric tonnes of cobalt in 2024, holding 70 percent of global reserves. Additionally, the country provides over 42 percent of the world’s tantalum. However, much of this wealth is undermined by conflict. The M23’s control of critical mining hubs, including Rubaya, has transformed mineral extraction into a war asset. Reports indicate that the rebel group has displaced over 237,000 people, with mining operations contributing to environmental degradation and significant human rights violations. Satellite imagery corroborates the group’s expansion of infrastructure to facilitate the smuggling of minerals through Rwanda, which has reported a steep increase in coltan exports—42.5 percent in 2023—despite its limited resources.
This smuggling network extends beyond regional borders, as coltan from the DRC is laundered into global supply chains under false certifications. A UN report documented that the M23 rebel group earns approximately $800,000 monthly from mining operations in Rubaya, with dire consequences for local ecosystems. The unregulated mining activities contaminate vital water sources, leading to agricultural collapse and a rise in birth defects within affected communities.
The security crises initiated by the M23’s takeover have strained global tantalum production, manifesting in supply chain disruptions. Following the insurgent group’s capture of key areas like Goma and Bukavu, critical trade routes have been obstructed, resulting in a temporary paralysis of tantalum output and escalating prices. According to industry reports, tantalum was priced at $102 per pound in April 2025, marking a 26 percent increase, while cobalt prices surged by 44 percent as companies rushed to stockpile these resources. This turmoil underscores significant ethical dilemmas, especially when companies like Apple faced allegations of sourcing “blood minerals” from conflict zones.
In response to these challenges, the DRC is negotiating a minerals deal with the United States aimed at countering Beijing’s dominance in the region. The US indicates a desire to lessen reliance on China, which currently commands significant control over the global mineral market. Despite these efforts, the DRC has condemned agreements like the €900 million deal between the EU and Rwanda, alleging complicity in the exploitation of its mineral resources.
The situation reveals a troubling juxtaposition: while international frameworks like the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act aim to promote forestalling conflict minerals, loopholes abound. Many minerals continue to enter the market through small-scale importers, often evading scrutiny. A significant proportion of mined minerals from M23-controlled areas have been fraudulently certified as ‘ethical,’ highlighting the inadequacies of current verification systems.
The ethical complexity surrounding the extraction of critical minerals is further complicated by revelations regarding systemic issues in corporate responsibility. High-profile tech companies, including Apple and Tesla, face mounting scrutiny over their dependence on minerals sourced from regions marred by human rights abuses. Despite allegations of child labour in cobalt mining, these companies have contested the claims and secured legal victories, yet significant gaps persist between corporate promises and the reality on the ground.
In addressing these multifaceted challenges, a concerted and coordinated approach is essential. This involves penalising traffickers, fortifying local governance structures, and implementing comprehensive traceability systems. The urgent need for sustainable resource governance in the DRC is underscored by the intersecting humanitarian, environmental, and economic crises. As global industries increasingly rely on minerals from conflict-affected areas, the stakes are higher: failure to ensure ethical sourcing could undermine progress in global decarbonisation efforts and exacerbate the violence that plagues resource-rich regions. The future of technology hangs precariously in the balance, contingent upon resolving the intricate issues tied to mineral extraction in the Congo.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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