A new investigation by Global Witness has alleged that leading global technology and automotive companies, including Amazon, Ericsson, Sony, Microsoft, Nvidia, Toyota and Vodafone, are “likely” to have sourced minerals linked to a militia accused of mass atrocities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The year-long investigation claims that coltan a critical mineral used in the production of mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices was smuggled from militia-controlled mines in North Kivu province and fed into global supply chains through a network of exporters and smelters spanning Rwanda, China and Kazakhstan.
According to Global Witness, the mineral originates from the Rubaya mining site in eastern DRC, an area that contains approximately 15 per cent of the world’s coltan reserves. The site is currently under the control of the M23 militia, which the report alleges is responsible for widespread human rights abuses, including sexual violence, torture, summary executions and mass displacement.
The M23 group is also accused of extracting significant revenue from the mines through taxation systems imposed on local miners.
UN Group of Experts has previously estimated that the militia earns nearly £600,000 per month from coltan levies in Rubaya, helping to finance its military operations.
The militia is reported to have seized the mining region two years ago, with up to 7,000 Rwandan troops allegedly operating alongside M23 fighters in eastern DRC a claim Rwanda denies.
According to Alex Kopp, Senior policy and advocacy adviser at Global Witness, said the findings expose how modern technology supply chains may be deeply entangled with conflict financing. “Behind our everyday tech lies a supply chain tainted by violence, exploitation and human suffering,” Kopp added.
Smuggling Networks and Global Supply Chains
Moreover, the investigation details how coltan extracted from conflict zones is allegedly smuggled across the border into Rwanda, often through routes that are lightly monitored or controlled by armed groups. Once inside Rwanda, the mineral enters formal export channels through licensed traders and exporters before being shipped to international smelters.
Global Witness claims that five of the seven largest Rwandan coltan exporters are involved in purchasing material originating from conflict-affected mines in the DRC. From there, the mineral is processed into tantalum, a key component used in the capacitors found in nearly all modern electronic devices.
The report further alleges that smelters in China and Kazakhstan play a central role in processing the material before it enters global manufacturing supply chains.
While international traceability mechanisms are meant to ensure conflict-free sourcing, Global Witness says these systems have failed to detect or prevent the entry of illicit coltan into global markets.
The International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI), widely used in the minerals industry, is designed to certify responsibly sourced materials. However, the investigation claims the system has been unable to effectively identify conflict-linked coltan originating from Rubaya.
Similarly, the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), another major industry framework, is also criticised for failing to detect contamination in supply chains despite extensive compliance requirements.
Kopp further indicated that,companies have not done enough to ensure transparency.
“The companies behind our phones, computers and cars haven’t been able or willing to clean up their supply chains. This fuels instability and prolongs the suffering of communities.”
Alex Kopp
Global Witness is urging companies to suspend purchases of coltan routed through Rwanda until M23 withdraws from the Rubaya mines, unless they can independently verify the mineral’s origin.
Corporate Responses to Conflict, Control and Resource Wealth
Several of the companies named in the report responded to the allegations, emphasising their commitment to ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency, while distancing themselves from direct procurement of raw minerals.
An Amazon spokesperson indicated that the company is committed to responsible sourcing practices.
“We’re committed to providing products and services that are produced or supplied in a way that respects human rights and the environment.”
Amazon spokesperson
The company also noted that it continues to engage with suppliers and upstream partners to strengthen auditing mechanisms and improve smelter certification processes, and has requested further due diligence related to the smelters identified in the report.
Similarly, Ericsson also indicated that it takes the allegations “very seriously,” noting that tantalum may enter its supply chain indirectly through multiple tiers of suppliers.
The company said it relies on supplier reporting, smelter identification programmes and engagement with the Responsible Minerals Initiative to monitor sourcing risks.
“Based on the information currently available to us, two of the facilities referenced appear in Ericsson’s supply-chain data and are currently listed as RMI-conformant.”
Ericsson
However, Ericsson stressed that certification alone is not sufficient for full due diligence and said it is seeking further information from Global Witness while reviewing the allegations in detail.
Vodafone also responded, stating that it does not manufacture electronic products or directly purchase minerals.
The company highlighted that it relies on certified third-party organisations to verify supply chain integrity and noted that its position is consistent with other telecoms operators and retailers that depend on external suppliers.
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