Coltan
What Is Coltan?
Columbite-tantalite — coltan for short — is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of Congo. When refined, coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat-resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. These properties make it a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control current flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and many other electronics. The profits from mining have fueled a brutal civil war and severely damaged the forest and wildlife.
You say you’ve never heard of coltan? Well, it’s in the news, if you know where to look.
Because the issues surrounding this material are so diverse, ranging from ecology to physics to human rights, that opportunities for cross-curricular projects abound. While there are a number of campaigns which address one aspect of coltan-related problems, so far, no one is looking at the big picture.
To begin, check out a great powerpoint overview with maps and photos powerpoint by Dr. John Katunga of the Wilson Center.
Also browse the Provocate For More Info pages on Congo and women in conflict for a list of local and national agencies working on these issues.
Social Science:
1. How did the war in Rwanda spread to the Democratic Republic of Congo?
2. Who are the militias? terms: RCD-Goma, Interahamwe, Mai Mai
3. How does a mineral fuel a civil war? Compare other examples around the world.
5. How are legitimate mines positively affecting Congolese? According to the UN, coltan mining is very well paid in Congo terms. The average Congolese worker makes $10 a month, while a coltan miner can make anywhere from $10 to $50 a week.
6. What would happen if coltan mining was reduced or eliminated either through sanctions or the development of new technology? Consider the fate of US coal miners and their towns.
7. And then there’s the Pygmy issue (see page 9).
Environmental Science:
1. Coltan is found in regions where the Earth’s most ancient crust has surfaced.
Scroll through this report to see where there are deposits, mines, and prospective mines around the world.
3. How Minerals, Forests, and Violent Conflict are related in the DRC. In order to mine for coltan, rebels have overrun Congo’s national parks, clearing out large chunks of the area’s lush forests. In addition, the poverty and starvation caused by the war have driven some miners and rebels to hunt the parks’ endangered elephants and gorillas for food. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, for example, the gorilla population has been cut nearly in half, from 258 to 130.
4. Would a fingerprinting process like the one used for diamonds help?
5. What are the problems caused by waste? also see a technical article on disposal
6. Programs to re-use or recycle– including our Indianapolis Zoo!
WATCH how a cell phone gets recycled.
Chemistry/Physics:
1. Investigate the properties of the raw materials niobium and tantalum, as well as the mining process, refining process, and uses
2. The fingerprinting process might be a way to eliminate “conflict coltan” from circulation.
3. Look at how many US companies are involved with coltan mining. There are an increasing number of Chinese companies as well. And these are just the really big ones!
4. Kemet is the largest manufacturer of tantalum capacitors. Check out pages 3-4 of their technical specs for diagrams of the type of capacitor used in cell phones.
French Language The national Language of the DRC is French. Anyone who wishes to engage in dialog with government officials on issues related to Coltan could be more successful if they spoke French. Much of the research is written in French. And after English, French is the most common language of the internet.
Business & Economics.
Economists agree that business profits do not necessarily have to harm the environment or exploit the poor. CNN has put together a collection of cases of responsible business practices that preserve endangered habitats and defuse social conflicts.
Some of the most effective campaigns for socially responsible business practices and ethical consuming began as initiatives by young people. See some of these campaigns here.
Art/Design There are several community groups connected to issues in the DRC. All of their projects and fund-raising efforts would be strengthened by the creative efforts of students.
