【Democratic R】Halt illegal imports of conflict minerals from DRC, campaigners urge EU

by

Editor’s Note

This report highlights renewed calls from advocacy groups for the European Union to strengthen enforcement of its conflict minerals regulation. Evidence suggests that illegal imports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue, pointing to potential gaps in the current oversight framework.

EU Urged to Enforce Conflict Minerals Regulation

Advocacy groups are urging the European Union to clamp down on illegal imports of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following evidence that current regulations are being breached.

High Risk of Funding Conflict

The advocacy group Global Witness (GW) stated there remains a “high risk” that the EU’s mineral imports are being used to fund militias and state repression in several countries. The EU’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, which came into full force in 2021, imposes due-diligence checks on companies importing tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold from conflict-affected areas.

Regulation Impact Deemed Negligible

However, a recent EU Commission review admitted an external study found “limited impacts among local stakeholders,” with “delays” and “implementation challenges.” Separately, researchers at the International Peace Information Service in Antwerp found the regulation’s impact has been “almost negligible, with illicit mineral trade continuing to fund conflicts.”

Supply Chain Investigation

GW traced the supply chain of a European trader sourcing minerals from eastern DRC, where militias involved in killing and raping civilians use the mineral trade to fund their activities. Documents obtained by GW appeared to show a supplier sourced wolframite (tungsten ore) from Nzibira in South Kivu province in early 2023 and passed it to European buyer Traxys Europe, which rejected the allegations.

“The EU has put this regulation in place in order to stop the importation of conflict minerals. But there isn’t sufficient effort to ensure that it is working. The regulation is allowing companies not to bother with due diligence because it appears that there are no proper checks on what they are doing, nor consequences for their activities.”

— Emily Stewart, head of policy at Global Witness

Calls for Stronger Enforcement

GW urged the EU to step up enforcement, improve import transparency, and impose sanctions on non-compliant firms. Congolese officials told GW that during 2023, minerals from unvalidated mines were falsely tagged as responsibly sourced.

“The EU’s regulation was stillborn; it is not known about in the DRC. There are no efforts to improve the situation. Companies from the global north are not taking due diligence seriously – the impact is war.”

— Safanto Bulongo, Congolese organisation Max Impact

Recent Legal Action and EU Response

Last month, the DRC government filed a criminal complaint against Apple in France and Belgium, accusing it of using conflict minerals laundered through international supply chains. Apple rejected the allegations.

A European Commission spokesperson, Olof Gill, said implementation is being closely monitored by member states, which notify companies of corrective measures needed.

“The EU’s review concluded it wasn’t necessary to impose a more uniform sanction system at this stage. We would encourage NGOs to inform responsible [member states] of any infringements of the regulation, so appropriate action can be taken.”

— Olof Gill, European Commission spokesperson

Full article: View original |
⏰ Published on: January 15, 2025