Congo rebels cash in on demand for tin

Article in the Financial Times By Nicholas Garrett and Harrison Mitchell

Published: March 5 2008 03:09

Some of the world’s best known consumer electronics companies are examining their supply chains after discovering that tin from a mine controlled by renegade soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo is reaching international markets.

The Bisie mine, situated a day’s walk into the Walikale district of North Kivu, is the Congo’s biggest tin ore mine. It is controlled – in contravention of the country’s mining regulations – by the renegade 85th brigade of the Congolese army led by Colonel Samy Matumo.

An investigation by the Financial Times has found that tin ore from the mine is reaching smelters and solder manufacturers in Asia via a network of local middlemen and international traders. Household brands such as Hitachi, Microsoft, Pioneer and Samsung are investigating whether they could be sourcing tin solder from these companies.

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