Madeleine Bunting vividly describes the "mining misery'' in eastern Congo: "Minerals are dug by hand from remote mines, often by forced labour. Conditions are dangerous. Many mines are controlled by corrupt army commanders or rebel groups'' (The true cost of your new Christmas laptop? Ask the eastern Congolese, 13 December).
Many of the world's mineral deposits are buried under conflict areas, or fuel conflict themselves. Yet, as Bunting says, they are crucial components in many high-demand consumer products such as mobile phones and laptops. Profits drive investment and trade more than other considerations, so companies buy minerals that contribute to human rights violations, corruption and conflict. Consumers buy products that contain such minerals. This lethal combination goes to the heart of a global governance challenge. It is an "immensely complex entanglement of economics and politics" with high stakes, Bunting states. Because of this, it cannot be resolved easily or swiftly.
Yet a number of policy initiatives are under way that may make a difference in the long run. First, as Bunting highlights, the US Dodd-Frank Act obliges companies with securities traded in the US to meet certain disclosure requirements when buying minerals from eastern DRC. Second, the OECD will soon release guidance for companies to help them avoid "bad" mines and ensure minerals are free of conflict. Third, African states themselves are working on the issue through the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, which provides regional peer pressure.
Although most of the DRC is now at peace, crime and conflict remain pervasive in the east of the country. This area is full of armed groups who often trade in minerals. Because the DRC is only now emerging from conflict, this terrible situation will not change soon. This is the harsh reality all policy initiatives will face – one which, as Bunting suggests, may well defeat their best efforts.
To make a difference, two actions are necessary. First, local exporters, mineral processors, manufacturing and brand-name companies must demonstrate that their minerals are conflict-free. The Dodd-Frank and OECD guidelines need global strengthening and enforcement – for instance, the EU should also take legislative action, and OECD members should reinforce their national legislation. This will put pressure on companies to take their responsibility seriously. To maintain a level global playing field, the G20 should engage more strongly.
Second, consumers need to start caring more. As Shell and Nike know from experience, consumer pressure can be influential. Consumers should refuse to buy from companies who cannot guarantee they use "clean" minerals.
For now, however, this remains a major problem with no short-term fix. Like Bunting, we should continue to worry "how we can be sure that if we buy a new mobile phone ... it's not contributing to this hell?" There is still a long way to go.
