Congo: Cassiterite Mines by Dominic Nahr

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Cassiterite, a tin ore, is currently one of the most valuable minerals being taken from Congo's earth. In recent months, the Congolese military has pushed back FDLR rebels from the mines, which they have held for more then three years. The FDLR used the mines to fund their war within Congo.

Some groups accusing the military of complicity in mining and trading so-called blood minerals -- those mined amid violence, sold to fund conflict, or both.
"As long as the region...
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Cassiterite, a tin ore, is currently one of the most valuable minerals being taken from Congo's earth. In recent months, the Congolese military has pushed back FDLR rebels from the mines, which they have held for more then three years. The FDLR used the mines to fund their war within Congo.

Some groups accusing the military of complicity in mining and trading so-called blood minerals -- those mined amid violence, sold to fund conflict, or both.
"As long as the region remains so militarized, even more now with these operations, it's very likely that the minerals are very directly profiting -- if not [militia groups] -- then the army itself," says Carina Tertsakian, a researcher for London-based Global Witness, an independent advocacy group.
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