Petersen+Dana

media type="youtube" key="LaxWCxseYZk" height="344" width="425" ** CCT205 Individual Research Assignment **

endangerment of gorillas in the Congo
 * Social Issue** – Our cell phones, play stations, and electronic devices are furthering the


 * Summary of the issue:**

As cell phones, and electronic devices become intermingled into modern society, they have, to the blind eyes of most north American, created a large market for illegally mined Coltan. Coltan, columbite-tantalite and tantalum are three synonyms for the metallic ore mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and an essential part of cell phones, DVD players and many other electronic devices. Coltan, the slang term for the mineral used by Africans in the Congo, has chemical properties that prevent our cell phones and electronic devices from over heating.

Mining for coltan is much like mining for gold. Men, women and children all search in the basins, streams and rivers panning for this metallic ore. The actual mining is not what is killing the gorillas, but the clear-cutting for camps and the burning of materials contribute to their demise (Mining threatens Congo gorillas, Ecologist ). The number of endangered mountain gorillas has gone from 258 to 110 in five years due to the mining craze (Digging a grave for king kong, 1). Hundreds of illegal miners now live within the conservation walls, and the bush-meat trade has become a dangerous problem. The miners have become hunters as they kill unsuspecting gorillas, eat their meat, sell their babies, and destroy a species.

And as consumers trade last year’s cell phone model for a sleeker new look, the conservation parks of the Congo trade the 2,000 species of plant life for clear cutting, and their protected wilderness for bloodshed and slaughter (Mining threatens Congo gorillas, Ecologist ). Although we affect this issue, it seems to have little affect on us. So few people know about the turmoil in Congo, and that the root of this issue is likely set on vibrate.


 * Brief History of the Congo**


 * //1885-1908//** //-// Congo during this time was a corporate state ruled by privately by the King of the Belgians (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia).


 * //1908 – 1960//** //-// Belgian Congo was now under Belgium parliament. Belgium administration pushed Christianity and western beliefs, and showed little respect for native culture. In 1960 the Congo was granted independence. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)


 * //1960 – 1965//** – The country was too large and unstable to handle by one person. Tribal leaders held more power then the government. The name of the country was officially changed to Zaire, and an alliance was made first with the Soviets and then with the US. The Prime Minister was assassinated, and it was said to be supported by the CIA, and Belgium government. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)


 * //1970s//** – Lieutenant General Mobuto declared himself president. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)


 * //1980s//** – Opposing parties arouse to challenge Mobuto. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)


 * //1990s//** – Mobuto was criticized for his government corruption, bad economy, poor human rights, and enormous embezzlement of government fund, being used for personal use. (wiki) During the 90s as well, the Rwanda war found its way into Zaire. The massacre and rebellions grew. Mobuto left the country and Kabila self acclaimed himself as president. The county was changed to Democratic Republic of Congo. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)


 * //2000s –//** Kabila was assassinated and succeeded by his son. UN peacekeepers arrive in Congo. Conflict continues as natural resources such as diamonds, copper, zinc, and coltan are drained from the earth. (History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wikipedia)

The thread that links the history of Congo, to today’s current experience is that there has never been a time in the DRC when there has not been turmoil. This lack of order is what enables the people of this country to continually be at war, or in chaos.


 * Who is this effecting?**

Black market coltan effects many different populations.
 * 1) The mountain gorilla population – before the rise of illegal mining the Democratic Republic of Congo had the world’s largest gorilla conservation site. In five years the number of endangered mountain gorillas has dropped from 258 to 110 (Digging a grave for king kong, 1).
 * 2) The people of the Congo. With the demand, and lucrative results, illegal mining has become a popular choice of career. In comparison to other forms of income, mining for coltan pays $10-50 a week; meanwhile the average for the Congolese population is only $10 a month (UN website). However, it has also created war, and turmoil in hunt and sale of this mineral.
 * 3) The electronic companies. The primary purchaser of this mineral. They need to be making conscious purchases, and avoid buying black market coltan. These companies need to be responsible for where and from whom they purchase their materials.
 * 4) The environment. Clear cutting of large forests, and the killing of all wild and endangered species is a sign of desperation and poverty of the people (UN website)


 * Who is this not effecting?**

There are two main populations that seem to be ignoring this issue.
 * 1) The media. Although there are some articles written about the current situation in the Congo, it is far from a hot topic. It seems as though most information can be found online, even though few articles make it to mainstream media. If the media were to cover this issue with the urgency it deserves, then it is likely that some action would be taken.
 * 2) Consumers. Whether from ignorance, or because it is just so far away, consumers have yet to take a stand against this issue.

Together these too parties have the power to make an enormous difference, and together their ignorance threatens wildlife millions of miles away.


 * Who may be benefiting?**

The U.N. Security Council has released a controversial report about the misuse of coltan from the Domestic Republic of Congo by surrounding countries involved in the current war. Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi have been reported to be involved in the smuggling of the DRCs natural resources, mainly coltan. These countries are using the revenues generated by the sale of the currently high priced coltan to support their war efforts. It has been estimated that over a 18 month period, the Rwandan war effort has made $250 million, however, the countries deny these accusations (UN website) Some opinions have stated that the party benefiting may be electronics companies. These companies are an easy target, but how are they dealing with this situation?


 * What are the electronic companies doing about this issue?**

“The path that coltan takes to get from Central Africa to the world market is a highly convoluted one, with legitimate mining operations often being confused with illegal rebel operations, and vice versa, making it difficult to trace the origin. To be safe, in recent months many electronics companies have publicly rejected the use of coltan from anywhere in Central Africa, instead relying on their main suppliers in Australia. American-based Kemet, the world's largest maker of tantalum capacitors, has asked its suppliers to certify that their coltan ore does not come from Congo or bordering countries. But it may be a case of too little, too late. Much of the coltan illegally stolen from Congo is already in laptops, cell phones and electronics all over the world. (UN website)”

Like stated in the above quote, the role of the electronic companies is complex. Most large buyers of coltan and tantalum have now refused to accept mineral from the DRC. Australia is the main supplier of coltan, however, it has been stated that DRC contains more reserves than any other country (Global policy Forum). Although these new policies set out to purchase “legitimate” coltan, the fact remains that illegal coltan is already out there, in phones, laptops, and many other electronic devices (Global Policy Forum).


 * What are the ramifications if this issue isn’t dealt with?**

Sadly, a real reality is that the critically endangered may soon only be found in zoos ( Can cell-phone recycling, National Geographic News). Further, after speaking to a gorilla keeper at the Toronto Zoo, there are several sub-species of gorillas. The only gorilla currently found in captivity is the lowland gorillas; the critically endangered mountain gorilla exists only in the wild, and has dropping numbers. Loosing the entire mountain gorilla population would be on the hands of humanity.


 * What is being done about the issue?**

To support this cause, zoos in North America have started a program called Eco-Cell. What this program does is accepts old cellphones and either take them apart for parts, or refurbish them to be sold in developing countries. Unfortunately, few currently know about this program, and many people continue to fill our landfills with used cell phones.


 * What is the American government doing?**

The involvement of the United States government is the act of simply hoarding large stores of coltan (Global Policy Forum).


 * Cost of Coltan**

Although the cost of coltan has fluctuated in recent years, the general trend has been an increase in demand and value. Coltan’s value reached its peak in 2000 when the market price was US$365 per pound. After the price crashed in 2001, the demand for coltan has allowed the mineral to continue to increase in price (Global Policy Forum).


 * Summarization**

The demand for the mineral coltan has caused continued turmoil in the DRC. The consumption of electronic devices has lead to a war, looting, and exploitation of natural resources in the Congo. Further, the exploitation of coltan has not just led to turmoil of the country, but to the demise of the gorilla species. Organizations such as zoos are trying to make a difference by accepting used cell phones, however on the other hand; audiences such as mainstream media seem not to be as vocal about this urgent issue. The issue is clear, if action is not taken, the chance of loosing a species from which we evolved may become reality.




 * Work Cited**

1. Digging a grave for king kong?(2003). //Economist, 368//(8335), 68-68. 2. Fay, J. M., & Agnagna, M. (1992). Census of gorillas in northern republic of Congo. //American Journal of Primatology 27(4) 1992:275-284., 27//(4), 275-284. 3. Furniss, C. (2004). Conundrum in the Congo. //Geographical, 76//(7), 55-61. 4. joins.com. (2007, June 18, 2007). A war without guns. Message posted to www.joins.com 5. Mining threatens congo gorillas.(2004). //Ecologist, 34//(1), 8-8. 6. Mwemba Phezo Dizolele. (2007, August 16, 2007). Coltan treasure - A blessing and curse [column]. //All Africa,// Retrieved from Factiva database. http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2507 7. SBS World News Headline Stories. (2008, ). Cellphone demand stoking congo conflict. 8. 'Stefan Lovgren'. (2006, January 20, 2006). Can cell-phone recycling help african gorillas? National Geographic News, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0120_060120_cellphones.html  9. History of Congo -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo  10. Coltan Website -http://www.un.int/drcongo/war/coltan.htm 11. Global Policy Forum __-__ http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/natres/minerals/2008/coltanrevised.htm 12.Youtube, kristen9212, Save the Gorillas

