Investigation finds global brands 'likely' used coltan linked to DRC rebel group

A year-long Global Witness investigation says leading global brands including Amazon, Ericsson and Sony are likely to have sourced coltan smuggled from mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that are occupied by the M23 militia, which has been accused of widespread sexual violence, summary executions and torture.

The report adds that the mineral probably also reached products from Microsoft, Toyota, Nvidia and Vodafone. The coltan is taken from Rubaya in North Kivu, a site that holds about 15% of the world’s coltan, which M23 captured two years ago. The militia, backed by up to 7,000 Rwandan troops, charges a levy on each kilogram and the UN’s group of experts estimates M23 gathers almost £600,000 a month from taxation; the group has seized territory and is accused of killing, raping and abducting civilians.

Rwanda denies backing the militia, but coltan has become an important revenue stream for the state.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rubaya, North Kivu

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