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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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Results for illegal mining
18 results foundAuthor: Panel of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo Title: Final Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary: June 2000, the Council requested the U.N. Secretary-General to establish the Panel to follow up on reports and collect information on all activities of illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Panel was also mandated to research and analyse the links between the exploitation of the natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the continuation of the conflict. The Panel’s first report, issued on 12 April 2001 (document S/2001/357), stated that illegal exploitation of the mineral and forest resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was in the form of mass-scale looting, as well as "systematic and systemic exploitation", which required planning and organization. Key individual actors -- on the one hand, including top army commanders and businessmen, and government structures, on the other -- have been the engines of that systematic and systemic exploitation. The report named functionaries, companies, banks and individuals involved in the exploitation. The current report notes that the "elite networks" involved in resource exploitation are changing their tactics, as national armies begin withdrawals from the eastern Congo, where a self-financing war economy had been built, centring on mineral exploitation. The Governments of Rwanda and Zimbabwe, as well as powerful individuals in Uganda, have adopted strategies for maintaining the mechanisms for revenue generation, many of which involve criminal activities, once their troops have departed. The elite network of Congolese and Zimbabwean political, military and commercial interests seeks to maintain its grip on the main mineral resources -- diamonds, cobalt, copper germanium -- of the government-controlled area. The network has transferred ownership of at least $5 billion of assets from the State- mining sector to private companies under its control in the past three years, with no compensation or benefit for the State treasury of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the report, the Panel identifies the circles and individuals in the elite network and its strategies for generating revenues, in the State-controlled area, as well as areas controlled by Rwanda and Uganda. Even with the establishment of an all-inclusive government, control over natural resources would require time and would be possible only within the framework of sound institution-building. In the interim, it is the view of the Panel that continued monitoring and reporting on illegal exploitation will at least serve to deter these activities. The most important element in halting that exploitation relates to the political will of those who support, protect and benefit from the networks, the report states. The Panel does not support the imposition of an embargo or moratorium banning the export of raw materials originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It says that, nevertheless, restrictive measures need to be taken vis-à -vis the role of companies and individuals involved in arms supply and resource plundering. There was also a need to apply forceful disincentive and incentives. The report states that an international conference on peace, security, democracy and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region would be an ideal forum at which to address the reorientation of the regional trading system to post-conflict imperatives, and for negotiating the framework of a multilateral agreement to carry it out. In further recommendations, the Panel calls for institutional reforms, financial and technical measures, and a monitoring process that could report to the Security Council on a regular basis. Details: Vienna: United Nations Security Council, 2002. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 15, 2011 at: www.grandslacs.net/doc/2477.pdf Year: 2002 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: Shelf Number: 121009 Keywords: Crimes Against NatureIllegal MiningIllegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Wagner, Livia Title: Organized Crime and Illegally Mined Gold in Latin America Summary: Throughout history, man has venerated gold. Gold was the first of the three gifts of the Magi to Jesus. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, the values of world currencies were fixed in terms of gold (the Gold Standard). Olympic athletes vie for gold medals and the best footballer in the world is awarded the Ballon d'Or. An extremely well behaved child is 'as good as gold' and a generous person has 'a heart of gold'. It is only natural to think positively about gold, just as it is equally natural to think negatively about drugs. But, as the Global Initiative proves in its latest research report: Organized Crime and Illegally Mined Gold in Latin America, illegally mined gold is now more important to organized crime in some countries of Latin America than narcotics: - In Peru and Colombia - the largest cocaine producers in the world - the value of illegal gold exports now exceeds the value of cocaine exports. - Illegal mining is the easiest and most profitable way to launder money in the history of Colombian drug trafficking In the first decade of the 21st century, two trends intersected: soaring gold prices greatly increased the profitability of gold mining, whilst the US led "War on Drugs", notably in Colombia and Mexico ('Plan Colombia' and the 'Merida Initiative'), sharply reduced the profitability of drug trafficking from Latin America to the USA. As a result, there were considerable incentives for the criminal groups that control the drug trade to move into gold mining, and the fragmented nature of artisanal gold mining in Latin America greatly facilitated their entry. These groups were quick to realise that taking control of large swaths of land remote from government attention and dominating the enterprises that mined that land would enable them to generate larger profit margins with much lower risk. Even though global gold prices have gradually decreased in recent years, organized criminal groups have continued to drive the expansion of illegal gold mining. The region is now unique in the high percentage of gold that is mined illegally; about 28% of gold mined in Peru, 30% of gold mined in Bolivia, 77% of gold mined in Ecuador, 80% of gold mined in Colombia and 80-90% of Venezuelan gold is produced illegally. Illegal gold mining employs hundreds of thousands of workers across Latin America, many of whom are extremely vulnerable to labour exploitation and human trafficking. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, 2016. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2016 at: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/Global%20Initaitive%20-%20Organized%20Crime%20and%20Illegally%20Mined%20Gold%20in%20Latin%20America%20-%20April%202016%20(web).pdf Year: 2016 Country: Latin America URL: http://www.globalinitiative.net/download/global-initiative/Global%20Initaitive%20-%20Organized%20Crime%20and%20Illegally%20Mined%20Gold%20in%20Latin%20America%20-%20April%202016%20(web).pdf Shelf Number: 138482 Keywords: GoldIllegal MiningOrganized CrimePrecious Metals |
Author: ten Kate, Albert Title: Beauty and a Beast: Child labour in India for sparkling cars and cosmetics Summary: This report focuses on child labour in Jharkhand/Bihar for mica mining and processing, and the role of Dutch companies and main manufacturers of pearlescent pigments globally. Recent documented cases substantiate the significant use of child labour: - During field research by SOMO in October 2015, a dozen children under ten were seen working in places where locally mined crude mica is gathered. This was in the subdistricts Tisri and Domchance, and outside school hours. - During the field research, a local representative of BBA for the mica mining village Dhab (around 4,500 inhabitants) stated that about 10% of the children presently don't go to school and likely work in the mines. - BBA's district coordinator for Jharkhand/Bihar told SOMO in October 2015 that Giridih district is a very difficult area to effectively ban child labour. BBA's work in twenty villages in the district is ongoing, but they constantly observe that groups of children in the district still go to the mines. - In late January 2016, Kalpana Pradhan, a journalist accompanying SOMO during its field investigation, went back to the rural area of subdistrict Tisri. She saw a mine within the forest where at least nine young girls (aged between nine and thirteen) were working. - In January 2016 a team from television broadcaster France 2 went to a mica mine in the area, and estimated that a third of the miners were under twelve years old. "They start at five or six years old, when they are able to recognize mica. They harvest it with us," said one mother. - In March 2015, a ten-year-old girl was crushed to death when the roof of a mica mine collapsed on her. In March 2014, the same happened to two other children. - In August 2015 Agence France-Presse (AFP) interviewed an eight-year-old girl who was mining and not attending school. Additionally, a father-of four acknowledged that his children spent their days mining mica to keep the family's heads above water. Details: Amsterdam: Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO), Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, 2016. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 19, 2016 at: https://www.somo.nl/beauty-and-a-beast/ Year: 2016 Country: India URL: https://www.somo.nl/beauty-and-a-beast/ Shelf Number: 147956 Keywords: Child LaborChild ProtectionGold MiningIllegal Mining |
Author: Bromberg, Megan Title: Mapping the Illicit Mineral Trade: Identifying the Illicit Supply Chain for Diamonds, Gold, and Tantalum Across Contexts Summary: The illicit mineral trade is a global issue that affects all countries, as illicit or conflict minerals continue to unwittingly end up in our jewelry, phones, and laptops. Whether these minerals come from unregulated mines that use child labor and harm the environment, fund the insurgencies of armed groups, or are smuggled into neighboring countries by corrupt government officials, the illicit mineral trade is dependent on the exploitation of poverty and those who rely on the mining to survive. Details: Washington, DC: American University, 2016. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://www.american.edu/sis/practica/upload/Mapping-the-Illicit-Mineral-Trade.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.american.edu/sis/practica/upload/Mapping-the-Illicit-Mineral-Trade.pdf Shelf Number: 145610 Keywords: Conflict MineralsDiamondsGoldIllegal MiningIllicit MineralsIllicit TradeNatural Resources |
Author: SaveActMine Title: Coloured gemstones in eastern DRC: Tourmaline exploitation and trade in the Kivus Summary: Responsible sourcing efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to date have focused predominantly on the so-called 3TG (tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold) sector. Nevertheless, the artisanal exploitation of other minerals including semi-precious gemstones, such as tourmaline, can also make notable contributions to local livelihoods. At the 9th OECD Forum in May 2015, rising tourmaline exploitation and trade in eastern DRC saw Congolese stakeholders, including SaveActMine (SAM), highlight the relevance of the DRC's coloured gemstone sector to responsible sourcing within the context of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. Following up on these observations, IPIS and SAM undertook a joint research mission in September 2015 to look into tourmaline exploitation and trade in the Kivus. This research confirmed that eastern DRC's tourmaline sector appears to be experiencing notable growth. Since 2012, a rise in gemstone prices has reportedly seen the sector attracting thousands of artisanal miners during boom periods in the Kivus alone. Tourmaline sites visited in the context of the present research in the south of Masisi territory (North Kivu) and around Numbi (Kalehe territory, South Kivu) experienced sizeable spikes in artisanal worker numbers in 2014 and 2015, with four out of five miners in the Numbi area reportedly engaged in tourmaline extraction. This has seen Numbi develop into a notable market for gemstone (specifically tourmaline) trading. Local authorities say that most locally registered traders deal in tourmaline. Here, stakeholders reported the potential for making considerable profits from high quality stones. Until recently, regulatory neglect and a lack of official trading counters for the purchase and export of gemstones from the DRC, had seen the Congolese coloured gemstone trade develop almost exclusively in the informal sector. As such, exploitation to date has overwhelmingly taken place illegally, with stones leaving the country illicitly for sale in neighbouring countries, such as Rwanda and Tanzania. Rising interest in the sector has now seen the licensing of exporters in coloured gemstones in both North and South Kivu. Growing interest in tourmaline indicates that the coloured gemstone sector may have the potential to contribute to job creation and economic development in eastern DRC. However, a burgeoning trade in lightweight, high value gemstones among artisanal miners and informal traders can also pose potential risks concerning conflict financing and human rights abuse. Research for this report came across accounts of predation by security actors occasioning forced labour, night exploitation and illegal taxation during at least one artisanal tourmaline mining spike, as well as claims of involvement of undisciplined public security forces in tourmaline exploitation and trade. Moreover, whilst much tourmaline mining in the Kivus is currently taking place in areas benefiting from improved general security, banditry remains problematic and non-state armed groups continue to operate in adjacent localities. The above factors suggest that tourmaline may no longer be a marginal issue when it comes to responsible mineral sourcing from eastern DRC. Indeed, research for this report also encountered claims that some mineral traders can declare minerals like cassiterite as low value tourmaline to evade tagging requirements and reduce tax payments. This raises questions about tourmaline's significance to ensuring the robust implementation of responsible sourcing for other minerals. IPIS/SAM research also highlighted a number of conditions potentially favourable to responsible souring from certain areas visited in the context of this study. These included improved local security conditions, the existence of validated and iTSCi monitored sites in the vicinity, and increased awareness of OECD due diligence requirements among stakeholders, including efforts to engage on issues of OECD compliance, amongst others. Details: Antwerp: IPIS, 2016. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 24, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160506_toumaline_eng.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160506_toumaline_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 146110 Keywords: Exploitation of MineralsIllegal MiningMineralsNatural Resources |
Author: Briscoe, Ivan Title: Illicit Networks and Politics in Latin America Summary: Organized criminal networks are global phenomena that distort local and global economic markets, bring violence and blur the role of the state in providing basic services, all in the interest of increasing their wealth. The main weapon used by such networks is corruption - of politicians and of many of the state apparatuses in the countries in which they operate. This undermines the basic principles of democracy and puts the state at the mercy of illicit economic interests. This is a global challenge. Latin America has particularly suffered from these issues for a number of reasons. The strong presence of illicit networks dedicated to illegal mining, the trafficking of exotic species, arms trafficking and, in particular, the production and sale of illegal drugs such as cocaine has created a massive inflow of illicit money. Together with the high cost of political activity in the region and difficulties in controlling political contributions, this has allowed organized crime to penetrate the political landscape. However, efforts made in different Latin American countries to confront these networks have seen significant achievements. There is a wealth of positive and negative experience on how these problems can be confronted that will be useful for countries in the same region and on other continents. This book focuses on experiences in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru. The authors draw on research that illustrates how relationships are forged between criminals and politicians. They identify numerous mechanisms for tackling these relations, and discuss both the achievements and the challenges concerning their practical application. Details: The Hague: Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael), 2014. 305p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 26, 2016 at: http://www.idea.int/publications/illicit-networks-and-politics-in-latin-america/en.cfm Year: 2014 Country: Latin America URL: http://www.idea.int/publications/illicit-networks-and-politics-in-latin-america/en.cfm Shelf Number: 140463 Keywords: Criminal NetworksDrug TraffickingIllegal MiningIllicit NetworksMoney LaunderingOrganized CrimePolitical CorruptionWildlife Trafficking |
Author: Masse, Frederic Title: Due Diligence in Colombia's Gold Supply Chain Summary: The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (hereafter OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals) provides detailed recommendations to help companies respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral purchasing decisions and practices. The Due Diligence Guidance is for use by any company potentially sourcing minerals or metals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and is global in scope. Colombia adhered to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals in May 2012. To support implementation efforts by producing countries, the OECD commissioned a baseline assessment of the gold supply chain in Colombia. The aim of the baseline assessment is to analyse the gold mining sector in Colombia and the potential to build responsible mineral supply chains as defined in the Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals. The assessment should furthermore assess stakeholders' awareness of supply chain risks, the Due Diligence Guidance and the level of implementation - if any - of due diligence initiatives and related government initiatives that could be leveraged. The assessment should lead to strategic recommendations on how to advance responsible sourcing in the gold sector in a manner that makes a positive contribution to socioeconomic development of producer countries and communities. The following overview report is the first of a series of baseline assessment and aims to develop an initial approach and analysis for how risks outlined in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Minerals are relevant in the Colombian context. The research for this report was undertaken by independent experts in 2015 and is based on previous research, new analysis of secondary sources, and exploratory interviews with key stakeholders in the mining and security sectors in Colombia.3 This initial report will be complemented by five regional case studies (phase II) and a concluding report (phase III) assessing ongoing due diligence and traceability projects and outlining recommendations on how these can be leveraged, improved and scaled up. Details: Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2016. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2016 at: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Colombia URL: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf Shelf Number: 140534 Keywords: Conflict MineralsGoldIllegal MiningNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeSupply Chains |
Author: Partnership Africa Canada Title: Reap What You Sow: Greed and Corruption in Zimbabwe's Marange Diamond Fields Summary: The Marange diamond fields of eastern Zimbabwe could be the country's salvation. Often described as the biggest diamond discovery of a generation, Marange has undoubtedly put Zimbabwe on the diamond map. Managed right, it could have been the transformational vehicle through which the country turns around its failing economic fortunes, while also serving as an example to other African countries blessed with mineral riches. But since its discovery in 2006, Marange's potential has been overshadowed by violence, smuggling, corruption, and most of all, lost opportunity. The chief custodian of Marange is Obert Mpofu, the country's Minister of Mines. For individuals or companies wanting to secure a mining concession to exploit a slice of Marange's riches, it is ostensibly Minister Mpofu that they need to convince of the merits of their application. After President Robert Mugabe, whose office is vested with the ultimate authority over the country's natural resources, Mpofu is in theory the gatekeeper and arbiter of everything to do with Marange. In practice, however, he has deferred many of these responsibilities to the country's military chiefs. His ministerial duties also require that he serve the public good and best interests of the Zimbabwean people by responsibly managing Marange. But on his watch, the world has seen perhaps the biggest single plunder of diamonds since Cecil Rhodes. Conservative estimates place the theft of Marange goods at almost $2 billion since 2008. Far from defending the best interests of Zimbabwe, Minister Mpofu has presided over a ministry that has awarded concessions to dubious individuals with no prior mining experience, often under very questionable terms or circumstances. Due diligence of miners has been an afterthought. As Minister he has solicited and approved applications from members of Zimbabwe's security forces, including those implicated in human rights abuses in Marange. There is little consistency in how concessions are awarded, other than to ensure the details of any deal are opaque and as far beyond the scrutiny of government ministers and the public as possible. The scale of illegality is mind blowing. One confidential geologist report cited by the August 2010 Kimberley Process Review Mission to Zimbabwe claimed "in excess of 10,000,000 carats have been removed by artisanal effort over the last three years" - an amount worth almost $600,000,000 at today's depressed prices. The Review Mission also estimated illegal mining at 60,000 carats a month, ranking the illicit Marange trade at between 7th and 10th in overall world diamond production. Hundreds of millions of dollars owed to Zimbabwe's Treasury have been lost in both illegal and legal trades. Determining the actual amount is impossible, but in February 2011 fiscal update the Finance Minister Tendai Biti complained US$300 million collected by Zimbabwean Minerals Development Corporation (ZMDC) and the Mineral Marketing Commission of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) - two parastatals under Mpofu's remit - had not arrived in state coffers. Details: Ottawa: Partnership Africa Canada, 2012, 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Reap_What_You_Sow-eng-Nov2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Zimbabwe URL: http://www.pacweb.org/Documents/diamonds_KP/Reap_What_You_Sow-eng-Nov2012.pdf Shelf Number: 145375 Keywords: CorruptionDiamondsEnvironmental CrimesIllegal MiningIllegal TradeNatural Resources |
Author: Matthysen, Ken Title: Review of the Burundian Artisanal Gold Mining Sector Summary: BGR commissioned PAC in partnership with IPIS to implement the assignment 'Outreach & Research on Responsible Engagement in the Burundian Gold Sector'. The assignment's overarching objective was to constructively engage relevant stakeholders associated with the Burundian mining sector including, in particular, the gold sector, as well as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on the subject of due diligence and responsible mining and sourcing practices in support of the implementation of the Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR) and the recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. To meet the overall project objectives, three sets of services were rendered from July 2014 to April 2015: The facilitation and organization of training and discussion workshops on supply chain due diligence as applicable in the Burundian context and including a national stakeholder analysis1; research and analysis of the Burundian gold sector; and, research on contraband gold (in-region cross-border and out-region); this report has been developed as the second deliverable listed above. It aims to review the context of the gold sector (mines and supply chains) in Burundi with a special focus on the artisanal nature of the sector. While it is known to host significant undeveloped Nickel resources possibly amenable to industrial mining, Burundi does not hold a deeply rooted tradition of mining, as opposed to its neighbours. Nevertheless, already during colonial times artisanal mining was practised in the country, supported by small Belgian mining enterprises. Gold, cassiterite, coltan and rare earths were the main products of these mining activities. The magnitude of Burundi's mining sector is minor compared to that of neighbouring countries. Just a simple comparison of the estimated number of artisanal miners illustrates the difference: While Burundi holds an estimated 10,000 artisanal miners working in gold and the 3T sector, there are an estimated 35,000 Rwandan 3T miners, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania hundreds of thousands of people are digging for various minerals, in particular gold, 3Ts and diamonds. Nevertheless, Burundi's geographical position does allocate it an important role with regards to regional gold trade and smuggling, and it is located in a geologically favourable metallogenic zone. In 2013, the country officially exported 2.8 tons of gold, which are believed to originate to a large extent from eastern DRC, but include a subordinate national production component of ca. 0.5 tons. Corresponding gold export values at USD 106 million in 2012 and USD 120 million in 2013 make gold the most significant Burundian export for these years. However, the relevance of the mining sector to the national economy is still rather limited. Mining accounted for less than 1% of Burundi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012, while subsistence agriculture accounts for more than 40% of the country's GDP and employs more than 90% of its population. On top of that, despite the considerable export values, fiscal revenues from the mining sector represent a mere 0.3% of the country's fiscal revenues. Nevertheless, over the last decade, Burundi's government has recognised that the artisanal mining sector is an important employer to many people and offers alternative livelihood options. It therefore considers the sector as a potentially important instrument for economic growth, poverty reduction and local development. As such, Burundi's artisanal mining and trading sector, dominated by gold, represents both a national development opportunity as well as a regionally relevant area to employ adequate supply chain due diligence in order to mitigate conflict risks through artisanal gold supply chains originating in the eastern DRC. This report represents a baseline review of the sector and its governance, largely based on literature research, including reports from international organisations, Burundian government sources, national and international civil society actors, and academics. A detailed list of all the sources used for the development of this report can be found in the bibliography at the end of this paper. Furthermore, a range of interviews were carried out in September 2014 in Bujumbura. To contextualize this review, the report draws on the experience of IPIS in neighbouring countries of the region, notably its multi-year efforts in mapping the eastern DRC's artisanal mining sector. Following on the introduction, Chapter 2 analyses the regulatory framework that is currently in place to manage Burundi' (gold) mining sector. Next, Chapter 3 analyses artisanal mining governance in the country. Several aspects will be discussed, including the institutional framework, the issue of decentralisation, formalisation efforts, taxation and mineral traceability efforts, and these are put into the regional perspective as well. Chapter 4 discusses the private actors that are involved in Burundi's gold mining sector. Subsequently, Chapter 5 deals with Burundi's artisanal gold supply chain in more detail. It will discuss, in turn, artisanal gold exploitation, selected environmental and socio-economic issues, and the gold trade. Finally, Chapter 6 provides concluding remarks based on the findings of the previous four chapters. Details: Antwerpen: International Peace Information Services (IPIS), 2015. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015_04_Review-of-the-Burundian-Artisanal-Gold-Mining-Sector.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Burundi URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015_04_Review-of-the-Burundian-Artisanal-Gold-Mining-Sector.pdf Shelf Number: 144804 Keywords: Gold MiningIllegal MiningMiningNational Resources |
Author: Jaekel, Theo Title: Far From Reality: How the EU falls short in preventing the illicit trade of conflict minerals Summary: In recent years, international efforts have sought to address issues related to the illicit trade of conflict minerals fueling conflicts across the globe. One such initiative is reflected in Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Act, passed in 2010, which targets companies listed on the U.S. stock exchange using conflict minerals in their products. The provision requires such companies to carry out supply chain due diligence and to annually report on this issue. The Dodd-Frank Act has led to an increased application of various other international guidelines and norms, as well as new national legislation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the most mineral rich countries in the world. Important developments in the DRC in recent years include: 1) requirements on mining operations to be validated in order to legally trade minerals, and 2) a traceability system designed to increase transparency in the supply chain. There are however severe challenges in the implementation of the new regulations, and much work remains to be done in order to establish functional and trusted frameworks. Miners interviewed by Swedwatch during a field trip to the DRC tell of harsh and dangerous working environments and dire economic conditions. Government officials experience problems in regards to insufficient funding, and therefore lack the capacity to validate and monitor mining activities, and enforce the rule of law. Mining companies lose a substantial share of minerals to smugglers who circumvent the legal requirements. And NGO’s report widespread corruption among government authorities, compromising the traceability and validation systems, as well as lack of engagement and tax avoidance by large mining companies. Despite their differences, key stakeholders in the DRC agree that EU legislation is needed to tackle the systemic flaws within the mining industry. On 15 June 2016, after months of negotiations, the EU agreed an outline deal on a new regulation on conflict minerals due diligence. The agreement is a welcome step in the right direction, but the compromise fails to address key issues and this may undermine the purpose of the legislation itself. The main critical gap relates to the scope of the agreement only applying to upstream companies. The agreed scope covers only a fraction of minerals that end up in the EU - requiring only upstream companies, i.e. smelters/refiners, to conduct due diligence. Downstream companies, placing minerals on the EU market in the form of finished products, such as mobile phones, laptops and cars, are exempt. Already existing standards, such as the OECD Guidance, include clear provisions for both upstream and downstream companies to conduct on-going due diligence. Thus, the entire supply chain of minerals is covered and engages each actor in the chain. The EU agreement fails to live up to the existing standards. Legislation requiring all companies to conduct due diligence was an opportunity for the EU to address the severe and pressing human rights risks in global supply chains of conflict minerals. Instead, the negotiations reached only a partial solution. Details: Stockholm: Swedwatch, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2016 at: http://www.swedwatch.org/sites/default/files/tmp/80_kongo_enkelsidor.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.swedwatch.org/sites/default/files/tmp/80_kongo_enkelsidor.pdf Shelf Number: 144865 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningIllegal TradeIllicit TradeNatural Resources |
Author: International Peace Information Service (IPIS) Title: Third Party Review of the Bisie Security Report Summary: The so-called 'Bisie Mineral Stock' encompasses about 1,000 tons of cassiterite, extracted by artisanal miners at Bisie mines between November 2010 and June 2015. A number of bans on mining and mineral trade in this region, as well as some hesitance further down the supply chain to buy untagged minerals, meant that mineral production was not marketed, but stored in warehouses. From 2014 onwards, national and international stakeholders developed a stock clearance strategy for the sale of these minerals. As a reference for potential purchasers to contribute towards their decision-making process on reasonable due diligence and risk mitigation measures, Pact developed a Bisie Security Report that documents the security situation. Considering the complexity of the situation, the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) contracted IPIS to review the report. IPIS agrees with the Bisie Security Report on the limited rebel involvement in Bisie mining since the start of the stock accumulation in 2012. However, Global Witness and IPIS reports from 2012 and 2013 present clear and detailed accounts of indirect illegal taxation by FARDC at the mines, which complement the Security Report's observations. Furthermore, IPIS' report discusses i.a. allegations of overestimation of the stock's registered volumes, a lack of transparency regarding financing, potential risks of creating a precedent for future stock evacuations, and local tensions in and around Bisie between Bisie's titleholder Alphamin Bisie Mining SA and artisanal miners' cooperatives. Details: Antwerpen: IPIS, 2016. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2016 at: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160718_Bisie.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160718_Bisie.pdf Shelf Number: 140754 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural Resources |
Author: Ewing, Jonathan Title: A Lot of Gold, A Lot of Trouble: A study of humanitarian impacts of the gold industry in DR Congo Summary: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa or DR Congo) is a country still recovering from a ruinous eight-year civil war that killed more than 5.4 million people. The value of untapped deposits of raw minerals is equivalent to the combined gross domestic product of Europe and the United States. Cobalt, diamonds, copper and, of course, gold is on the list along with highly sought after casserite, wolframite and coltan, which are used in consumer electronic products. Much of the extraction, or mining, is done in small operations known as artisanal, or small-scale mining, where the regulations that govern the activities are rarely enforced. Recently, more money is being invested into the extraction and refining of some of the ores found in the DR Congo, primarily copper, cobalt, and very recently, gold in Orientale Province. Mineral Invest International MII AB is a Swedish junior gold mining company surrounded by some of the largest international players in the extractive sector. Despite its diminutive size and its limited financial resources, the local community is waiting for Mineral Invest to increase its operation. The artisanal miners hope for jobs and the local community is waiting for development in the form of schools, hospitals and improved roads. According to Mineral Invest's website, the company has laudable plans for development projects in the area where it operates. Swedwatchs' and Diakonia's study shows that investment in post-conflict countries like DR Congo should require proper due diligence and a social licence to operate. So far, this has not been carried out. The DR Congo's Cadastre Minier has issued the licenses to SOKIMO, which is a partner in the joint venture with Mineral Invest. This joint venture features significant payments to the Democratic Republic of the Congo without specifying the recipient authority or entity within the state, which is a problem of transparency. The contractual agreement between Mineral Invest and the Congolese state-run mining company, SOKIMO, implies conflicts of interest and a lack of clarity. SOKIMO being both provider of mining licenses and at the same time having a financial interest implies a concentration of power that can create conflicts of interest and invite corruption. The allocation of payments to the state raises concerns as well as the agreements regarding development projects or, for example, accountability for environmental destruction. Finansinspektionen, the Swedish financial regulator, and Aktietorget, the Swedish market where Mineral Invest is publicly traded, have insufficient regulation and guidance for companies operating in difficult or post-conflict countries. Mineral Invest has not worked out an agreement, often called a social license to operate, with members of the local community where it operates. The company has contracted a unit of the Congolese military to provide security. This unit has been implicated in the ethnic slaughter of pygmies and cannibalism. The soldiers have also been accused of extorting gold from miners. Details: Stockholm: Diakonia; SwedWatch, 2012. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 17, 2016 at: http://www.diakonia.se/globalassets/documents/diakonia/publications/reports/2012-a-lot-of-gold-a-lot-of-trouble.pdf?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=a+lot+of+gold&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3adfed4c1a-bbd8-450f-954a-02cff1abcc09&_t_ip=165.230.70.227&_t_hit.id=Diakonia_Web_Models_Media_GenericMedia/_4baca66d-47cc-4b18-83eb-3ca74a73271b&_t_hit.pos=1 Year: 2012 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.diakonia.se/globalassets/documents/diakonia/publications/reports/2012-a-lot-of-gold-a-lot-of-trouble.pdf?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=a+lot+of+gold&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3adfed4c1a-bbd8-450f-954 Shelf Number: 145097 Keywords: Conflict MineralsConflict MiningGold MiningIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural Resources |
Author: Awazi, Alain Title: Trafficking of Gold and and Coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Following a dictatorship that lasted for 30 years, in May 1997, the late MOBUTU SESE SEKO was pushed out of power by Laurent Desire KABILA, with the support of The Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire ("AFDL") rebels and neighboring countries following a war that caused several hundred thousand deaths. Zaire became the "Democratic Republic of the Congo" (DRC), beginning a long period of instability dominated by armed conflicts from various rival groups, which profoundly affected the economy. It is unanimously agreed that economic motives, directly related to exploitation and traffic of mineral in East of the country, have been a substantial cause of those conflicts. The purpose of this short descriptive document is to present relevant background information about the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC" or "DR Congo") and the criminal or illegal exploitation of coltan and gold. The document consists of eight parts: The introductory first part is followed by a second part that includes a background on the DR Congo; the third part is a description of the socio-political and economic situation of the country; the fourth part includes relevant information regarding crimes and human rights violations in DRC; the fifth part is a description of trafficking in Kivu; the sixth part describes the situation of law enforcement around the exploitation; the seventh covers current and active mechanism for regulating the extraction and production of minerals and the eighth section presents some conclusions. Details: Bogotá, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 3. VORTEX Working Papers No. 14: Accessed January 26, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f2a86e46cc1040b78d9867291bd87bca.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f2a86e46cc1040b78d9867291bd87bca.pdf Shelf Number: 145434 Keywords: Conflict MineralsIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Illegal Mining and Trafficking of Coltan in the Amazon Border Region Summary: The illegal mining of coltan takes place not only in Colombia, but also in the border region between Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Unlicensed miners, supported by guerrillas and hidden by authorities from Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil, exploit the mines and coerce indigenous peoples into mining labors in the Amazonas where it is presumed that there are deposits of columbite and tantalite inside native's reserves or natural parks. Bearing this in mind, the purpose of this document is to describe the illegal mining and trafficking of coltan in the Amazon border region. The information is structured around the following topics and sections: (i) Key criminal agents relevant in trafficking of coltan, (ii) key criminal hotspots related to trafficking of coltan, (iii) and a description of recent relevant cases. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 2. VORTEX Working Papers: Accessed January 26, 2017: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bdea3889f6994097adeb2cab13f92ab9.pdf Year: 2016 Country: South America URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bdea3889f6994097adeb2cab13f92ab9.pdf Shelf Number: 144868 Keywords: Conflict Minerals Illegal Mining Mining Industry Natural Resources Trafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Coltan Trafficking Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Trafficking of Coltan is the main economic, social and political source of instability in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries, including Rwanda and Burundi. The illegal market of the ore has roots in transnational and domestic corruption, financial support to armed groups, violation of workers' rights, multinationals collusion, instability of international prices minerals and lack of diversification. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars every year by trading coltan that is smuggled out of Congo throughout neighboring countries and then shipped to smelters for refinement. Once the coltan is processed, it is difficult to trace its origin, so it easily makes its way all over the world, mainly, in electronic products. The sophisticated trafficking system of coltan is based on elite networks that operate mainly in DRC, linked to transnational organized crime and also to transnational lawful agents, such as corporations. Several lawful and unlawful agents conform each network. In fact, it has been reported that there is - competition between corrupt generals and rebels. In the case of the militia groups profits go on buying arms on the black market. With the generals, some [profits] go on arms, but lots of it goes on luxury things like villas. The profits are funding the war for everyone - both sides. It's a self-supporting war. (France 24, 2008) This document is the analysis of a criminal network traffics coltan, diamonds, arms, gold, and other minerals and commodities across the DRC and surrounding countries. The document has five parts: The first part is an introduction; the second part is a description of the methodology and the concepts related to Social Network Analysis, which is the methodological approach herein applied; the third part is a presentation of a criminal network defined as a "coltan trafficking and elite network in DRC", as well as the sources gathered and processed in this analysis; the fourth part is a presentation of the characteristics of the criminal structure, which includes a description of the types of nodes/agents, the interactions established, and the nodes/agents concentrating direct interactions and the capacity to arbitrate resources. The fifth part includes conclusions related to the characteristics the analyzed network. Details: Bogotá, Colombia: Vortex Foundation, 2016. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks: Research Paper No. 19. VORTEX Working Papers no. 14: Accessed January 27, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f0896eb2340e4941bdd0de3f52e3bc65.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_f0896eb2340e4941bdd0de3f52e3bc65.pdf Shelf Number: 145815 Keywords: Conflict MineralsCriminal NetworksIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Lopez Guevara, Estefania Title: Trafficking of Coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: The subjects analyzed in the document are the commerce, fraud, and contraband, as well as mechanisms and agents at internal and external levels intervening in the trafficking of coltan. This document also examines the (i) key criminal agents and other activities relating to the traffic of the ore, (ii) hotspots and (iii) recent cases covered by media. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Vortex, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper No. 4.: Accessed February 24, 2017 at: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bee14894ac2a4354a2ae49710c88bdd0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/522e46_bee14894ac2a4354a2ae49710c88bdd0.pdf Shelf Number: 141218 Keywords: Conflict MineralsCriminal NetworksIllegal MiningMining IndustryNatural ResourcesOrganized CrimeTrafficking in Natural Resources |
Author: Ameripol Title: Situational Analysis of Drug Trafficking: Police Point of View: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru Summary: A new study from the Americas regional police association Ameripol explores the shifting dynamics of the global drug trade, as new trafficking routes and criminal networks emerge to meet the demands of evolving consumer markets. The report (pdf), entitled "Situational Analysis of Drug Trafficking - A Police Perspective," is a collaboration between the American Police Community (Ameripol), an association of police from around the region, and the European Union (EU), focusing on the drug trade in the three main coca production countries -- Peru, Colombia and Bolivia -- as well as key transit countries. One of the most notable aspects of the report is its plotting of the rise of new trafficking routes to meet the needs of ever changing drug consumer markets around the globe. Most of these rely on maritime transport, which the report classifies as "the biggest drug trafficking threat." Many of these routes now run through Brazil, which is now the world's second largest consumer of cocaine and a key transit point for shipments destined for Europe. The report examines both the traditional and developing trafficking routes that take cocaine from production countries to the cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the northeast of the country, where it is processed, then either sold locally or exported. At the heart of many of the routes sits Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state and a critical thoroughfare for drugs arriving from Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. The report highlights the cross-pollination of illegal activities in the Amazon region, noting that pilots involved in drug flights are also often involved in the illegal mining that blights the region. Details: Bogota, Colombia: Ameripol, 2013. Source: Internet Resource: Available at the Rutgers Criminal Justice Library. Year: 2013 Country: South America URL: Shelf Number: 131271 Keywords: CocaineDrug TraffickingDrug-Related ViolenceIllegal Mining |
Author: Aning, Kwesi Title: Getting Smart and Scaling Up: The Impact of Organized Crime on Governance in Developing Countries. A Case Study of Ghana Summary: his case study presents findings of field research on the impact of organized crime on governance and development in Ghana. The objective is not to paint a negative picture of Ghana, but rather to highlight core structural weaknesses that enable organized crime to flourish largely uncontested, placing significant, albeit not immediately obvious, pressure on the democratic and development gains made over the past two decades. The case study is divided into five sections. Section I begins with an overview of the political context in Ghana, with specific reference to the emergence of democratic politics and the nature of the political economy in the post-independence era. It reviews trends in Ghana's economic development and governance since 1992, and examines the nature of formal and informal institutions and prevalent norms of behaviour. Section II examines the nature and scope of organized crime in Ghana, namely drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal mining, electronic waste dumping, cybercrime, human trafficking, and small arms trafficking and manufacturing. Section III focuses on the impact of organized crime on governance and development, while Section IV suggests some initial recommendations. Details: New York: Center on International Cooperation, New York University, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: https://www.gov.uk/dfid-research-outputs/getting-smart-and-scaling-up-the-impact-of-organized-crime-on-governance-in-developing-countries-a-case-study-of-ghana Year: 2013 Country: Ghana URL: https://www.gov.uk/dfid-research-outputs/getting-smart-and-scaling-up-the-impact-of-organized-crime-on-governance-in-developing-countries-a-case-study-of-ghana Shelf Number: 146138 Keywords: CybercrimeDrug TraffickingHuman TraffickingIllegal MiningOrganized Crime |