{"id":1945,"date":"2026-06-10T19:01:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnnglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/10\/global-brands-likely-using-mineral-that-funds-rebels-accused-of-atrocities-in-drc-investigation-finds\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T19:01:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:01:43","slug":"global-brands-likely-using-mineral-that-funds-rebels-accused-of-atrocities-in-drc-investigation-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=1945","title":{"rendered":"Global brands \u2018likely\u2019 using mineral that funds rebels accused of atrocities in DRC, investigation finds"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1fw0voq\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1j5hrwi\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"043239d7-1ddf-49a5-bac5-2fa01ea8e771\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two M23 soldiers in military gear stand at the edge of a Rubaya mining pit with mountains behind.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/33e60df009fdec547631627e7a17a773492cadf7\/0_0_6000_4000\/master\/6000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">M23 militiamen at the mining pits in Rubaya, in DRC\u2019s North Kivu province. Much of the coltan extracted there is smuggled into Rwanda.<\/span> Photograph: Camille Laffont\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"043239d7-1ddf-49a5-bac5-2fa01ea8e771\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">M23 militiamen at the mining pits in Rubaya, in DRC\u2019s North Kivu province. Much of the coltan extracted there is smuggled into Rwanda.<\/span> Photograph: Camille Laffont\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1jwoxwb\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Global brands \u2018likely\u2019 using mineral that funds rebels accused of atrocities in DRC, investigation finds<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17zwwbt\">\n<p>Amazon and Sony among firms that may have sourced coltan, used in phones, from supply chains controlled by the M23 rebels, says Global Witness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-pzh79o\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Leading global brands including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/amazon\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Amazon<\/a>, Ericsson and Sony are \u201clikely\u201d to have sourced minerals linked to a militia accused of widespread sexual violence, summary executions and torture, a new investigation claims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The companies allegedly, but unknowingly, acquired coltan smuggled from mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2024\/dec\/21\/children-executed-and-women-raped-in-front-of-their-families-as-m23-militia-unleashes-fresh-terror-on-drc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">occupied by the M23 militia<\/a>, which has committed myriad atrocities in eastern DRC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The coltan, vital for the production of mobile phones and computers, is smuggled across the border to Rwanda and moved on by coltan exporters used by large firms, according to a year-long investigation by <a href=\"https:\/\/globalwitness.org\/en\/about-us\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=19769651427&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADm6LOAykpmsZqotCPnhwmjGBYMs0&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw857RBhAgEiwAI-1yKAOcO10xP_9lUKWGRiSYOFuu6ISw6wPmINoDmb625wBr5Uu6wqr05hoCxswQAvD_BwE\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Global Witness<\/a>. It alleged that the crucial mineral will probably have also found its way into the products of international brands such as Microsoft, Toyota, Nvidia and Vodafone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Alex Kopp, senior policy and advocacy adviser at Global Witness, said: \u201cBehind our everyday tech lies a supply chain tainted by violence, exploitation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/en\/latest\/news\/2025\/03\/m23s-rampant-human-rights-abuses-demand-concerted-international-action\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">human suffering<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"b0a6dd4d-0c67-4698-9535-a5289267c082\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Men with picks work in a rocky ravine. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/376512772ab6f9f459ad18d4fdafb87b4da285be\/0_0_3500_2333\/master\/3500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.62428571428575\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"b0a6dd4d-0c67-4698-9535-a5289267c082\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Labourers work at an open-shaft coltan mine near Rubaya, North Kivu province, August 2019. The region holds about 15% of the world\u2019s coltan.<\/span> Photograph: Baz Ratner\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He urged government intervention to hold companies accountable and for sanctions to be imposed on those whose financial activities enable M23\u2019s brutal occupation of a significant swathe of eastern DRC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The looted minerals come from a vast site known as Rubaya, situated in DRC\u2019s North Kivu province, and which holds about <a href=\"https:\/\/globalwitness.org\/en\/press-releases\/deadly-drc-mine-disaster-highlights-human-cost-of-coltan\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">15% of the world\u2019s coltan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The M23 militia, backed by up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2025\/feb\/07\/democratic-republic-congo-drc-paul-kagame-m23-rebels-goma-rwanda-troops-dying-denials\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">7,000 Rwandan troops deployed<\/a> within the DRC, captured the mines two years ago and charges a levy on each kilogram of coltan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.securitycouncilreport.org\/un-documents\/democratic-republic-of-the-congo\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">UN\u2019s group of experts<\/a> have estimated that M23 gathers almost \u00a3600,000 a month from coltan taxation in Rubaya, an income used to fund the militia\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Seizing vast tracts of territory, M23 has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, raping and abducting with impunity. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/rwanda\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Rwanda<\/a> denies backing the militia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Coltan, however, has become an important revenue stream for the east African state, with the mineral becoming one of its largest export earners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Until now, little was known about who bought the smuggled coltan. After interviewing coltan smugglers, Global Witness says that five of the seven largest Rwandan exporters of the mineral buy conflict coltan from the DRC.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"fc079cbd-edff-45bb-bb20-f5bd4e4e250c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A hand with coltan in it, with a blurred man\u2019s face in the background. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9e76e68a19e3dff63e3dfda084e07475bf176aaa\/0_0_3500_2283\/master\/3500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"290.26714285714286\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"fc079cbd-edff-45bb-bb20-f5bd4e4e250c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-9ktzqp\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Large quantities of coltan entered Rwanda through the M23-controlled city of Goma on the DRC border, Global Witness was told by sources. <\/span> Photograph: Goran Toma\u0161evi\u0107\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Those exporters then sell the mineral through middlemen to smelters in China and Kazakhstan. In the smelters, the coltan is processed into tantalum. From there, it is used to manufacture the capacitors that are essential components in electronic devices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The investigation raises questions over the complicity of Rwandan officials. One coltan smuggler alleged that the Rwandan authorities were fully aware of the practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Previously, much of the coltan was smuggled into Rwanda through lightly monitored border areas. However, sources told Global Witness that large quantities of the mineral now entered Rwanda through the DRC border city of Goma, which was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/jan\/27\/m23-rebel-group-goma-drc-democratic-republic-congo-rwanda\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">taken over<\/a> by M23 last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The investigation, which reviewed trade data and analysed and cross-checked customs records, indicates how due diligence systems appear to have failed to break the link between conflict and natural resources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Theoretically, a traceability system relied on by many international companies to keep their supply chains conflict-free \u2013 known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itsci.org\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (Itsci)<\/a> \u2013 should mean that what goes into a phone handset and other electronics is sourced responsibly and avoids conflict financing and human rights abuses.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"37c4e754-c487-4587-8b6b-e0218d4a5fdf\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two sacks hanging on a wall. \" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7d95e215f8fd95d89f8cf2834252160e25287067\/0_0_3500_2334\/master\/3500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.75142857142856\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"37c4e754-c487-4587-8b6b-e0218d4a5fdf\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Sacks of coltan ore at a mine near Rubaya in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 2019. <\/span> Photograph: Baz Ratner\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, Global Witness say the initiative has largely failed to detect the conflict coltan. It also accuses other schemes such as the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) ofprobably being unable to discover conflict coltan being introduced into supply chains.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Kopp said: \u201cThe companies behind our phones, computers and cars haven\u2019t been able or willing to clean up their supply chains. This fuels instability and prolongs the suffering of communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Global Witness urged international companies to stop buying coltan from Rwanda until M23 has withdrawn troops from the Rubaya mines, unless they had thoroughly scrutinised the coltan before export by directly checking its origin and grading.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"42df71b8-f3e9-4c3a-a581-0be63b89c6bf\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-22 | 22\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-ma29me\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2025\/jan\/15\/democratic-republic-congo-drc-eu-halt-imports-conflict-minerals-drc-campaigners-urge-eu\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">Halt illegal imports of conflict minerals from DRC, campaigners urge EU<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">All companies and traceability schemes named in the article were invited to comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) said it remained deeply concerned about the security and human rights situation in eastern DRC. In a statement, it said: \u201cWe are also aware that market dynamics and significant production from Rubaya, along with global recognition of the illegality of these minerals, create serious incentives to work outside of or to subvert formal trade systems, and thus significant vigilance remains crucial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe RMI has implemented extensive programme-level actions over the past three years, including additional guidance to smelters and assessors, customised training, enhanced quality assurance and more. We also value the crucial role of civil society organisations in identifying potential risks \u2026 including through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.responsiblemineralsinitiative.org\/news\/rmi-statement-on-conflict-in-eastern-drc-feb-2025\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">calls for stakeholders to submit evidence of conflict financing risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe requested detailed, actionable data points from Global Witness and conducted a thorough internal review of all allegations. The RMI\u2019s assessments are based on consistent, detailed, independent review of multiple factors of due diligence and supply-chain data points, including hundreds or thousands of transactions depending on the facility \u2026 The RMI shares both the concern and commitment to responsible sourcing and coltan risks expressed by civil society, responsible businesses and governments, and we will take all steps available to us to leverage our assessments, complaints mechanism, and other information to continue proactive monitoring.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An Amazon spokesperson, Margaret Callahan, said: \u201cWe\u2019re committed to providing products and services that are produced or supplied in a way that respects human rights and the environment \u2013 in accordance with our supply-chain standards and all applicable laws.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWhile we generally don\u2019t source from mine sites or smelters, we remain committed to responsible mineral sourcing and will continue engaging with suppliers and upstream partners on auditing mechanisms and smelter certification. We\u2019re requesting additional due diligence from Amazon suppliers associated with the smelters identified by this report.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">An Ericsson spokesperson said they took the allegations \u201cvery seriously\u201d, adding: \u201cEricsson does not source raw minerals directly. Tantalum may enter our supply chain through multiple tiers of suppliers and processors, which is why we conduct due diligence through supplier reporting, smelter identification, industry programmes, and engagement with the Responsible Minerals Initiative.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cFollowing the allegations raised by Global Witness, we have reviewed the named tantalum smelters against our latest supplier-reported due-diligence data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cBased on the information currently available to us, two of the facilities referenced appear in Ericsson\u2019s supply-chain data and are currently listed as RMI-conformant. One of the named facilities does not appear in our latest supplier-reported smelter list for 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHowever, reviewing RMI conformance alone is not the end of our due diligence activities. Given the seriousness of the allegations concerning coltan from the Rubaya area and the conflict situation in eastern DRC, Ericsson is treating this with the attention that it deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The company said it was seeking additional information but had not been provided with evidence that could verify if tantalum contained in Ericsson products originated from Rubaya. It added that it had requested a meeting with Global Witness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A Vodafone spokesperson said: \u201cWe do not manufacture electronic products nor mine or directly purchase minerals and therefore do not use minerals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cVodafone is not distinguished from other UK and global telecom operators, technology retailers and many other high street stores, in selling electronic products.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cCompanies like ours rely on certified organisations like the Responsible Minerals Initiative to verify the source of products that we get from third-party suppliers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1xavc9x\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/global-development\/global-development\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Global development<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/global-development\/conflict-and-development\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Conflict and arms<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/business\/mining\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Mining (Business)<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/congo\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Democratic Republic of the Congo<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/rwanda\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Rwanda<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/africa\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/technology\/amazon\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Global%20brands%20%E2%80%98likely%E2%80%99%20using%20mineral%20that%20funds%20rebels%20accused%20of%20atrocities%20in%20DRC,%20investigation%20finds&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2026\/jun\/10\/coltan-drc-m23-global-witness-investigation?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fglobal-development%2F2026%2Fjun%2F10%2Fcoltan-drc-m23-global-witness-investigation&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=global-development\/2026\/jun\/10\/coltan-drc-m23-global-witness-investigation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-babllm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-jwg3xc\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>M23 militiamen at the mining pits in Rubaya, in DRC\u2019s North Kivu province. Much of the coltan extracted there is smuggled into Rwanda. Photograph: Camille Laffont\/AFP\/Getty Images View image in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=1945\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}