Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - Gold, tungsten, tin and coltan. These minerals are used in a wide range of industrial and commercial sectors including those of electronics and aerospace, which contribute to foment some of the African conflicts, including those in the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC).
This is what is read in a statement of which a copy was sent to Agenzia Fides with regards to the Campaign for the traceability of minerals of war, which has launched a petition calling on the EU to strengthen controls in the proposed regulation of trade of minerals from conflict zones, currently under discussion in the European Parliament.
The signatories of the petition, including the Network for Peace in Congo, ask MEPs and members of the European Commission, to amend the draft regulation, in order to replace the scheme of voluntary self-certification with a compulsory scheme for companies; to allow others to benefit from the project, so far limited to importers, foundries and refineries; to include the major companies that trade tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold in Europe in the form of finished products; to approve and operationalize the regulation as quickly as possible. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2014)
