60 Minutes Spotlights Gold, Conflict Minerals Fueling Congo's War

Posted by John Prendergast on Nov 30, 2009

In a hard-hitting segment last night, 60 Minutes highlighted the role of gold in fueling Congo’s deadly war in which hundreds of thousands of women have been raped and over 5 million people have died.

In addition to highlighting the hidden cost of the gold and other conflict minerals used in our jewelry, cell phones, and electronics, the segment detailed the Central African players and forces involved on the ground.

In a hidden camera encounter with a trader in Uganda, the 60 Minutes crew demonstrated the ease with which conflict minerals can be smuggled and traded. The episode pointed out that in 2007, Uganda itself produced about $500 worth of gold, but actually exported $75 million, almost all of which came from the conflict zone in Congo.

Correspondent Scott Pelley posed pointed questions to the jewelry industry, which is aware of what is happening in Congo but has yet to set standards to trace and audit their gold. Matt Runci who represents retailers as head of the trade group Jewelers of America and the Responsible Jewelery Council, had this to say:

"There is absolutely no place and no need for debate around the question of whether any illegally sourced mineral ought to be part of the industry supply chain. It should not be.”

Unfortunately the Council has yet to act on Mr. Runci’s words, though it says it is “developing a system for the industry that will, one day, trace gold to its source,” and as Runci adds, “[the Council] stands ready to work with stakeholders and with government to achieve that end.”

When pushed on the issue, Runci reinforced the need for pressure on corporations like Walmart, the largest gold retailer in America, to declare and trace the source of their gold.

Remember blood diamonds? It was a consumer campaign demanding that the diamonds we purchase not finance war, and it was the catalyst for peace in three West African countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Angola). We must do the same now for Congo by demanding conflict-free jewelry and electronics.

Join me tomorrow (along with International Rescue Committee’s Brian Sage and Run for Congo Women’s Lisa Shannon) at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m PST for an activist call focused on the humanitarian impact of conflict minerals and about what we can all do to help end the sordid trade.

To learn more visit our special conflict minerals page.
Additional interviews and new web extras from the segment are now available on the 60 Minutes website.

John Prendergast's blog

Submitted by armani jeans (not verified) on January 11, 2011 - 2:15am.

Really interesting articles. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing a

nice info

Submitted by tom (not verified) on January 10, 2011 - 6:23pm.

Radio Frequency Tissue Ablation or Samnoplasty is also one method to remove parts of your uvula.

As I've said before, surgery as treatment for snoring must be taken as the last resort when everything else you've tried failed. Before diving into an option, be sure that you are completely evaluated of the actual causes of your condition. Ensure yourself also that you have the best doctor in your spectrum of choices.

If you want to know how to how to stop snoring, please visit cure snoring naturally.

Submitted by Win real money playing online slots at karamba.com (not verified) on January 10, 2011 - 8:39am.

Too bad they don't show how people can Win real money playing online slots at karamba.com and only focus on real life characters.

Submitted by kolomayah (not verified) on January 10, 2011 - 4:44am.

I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Minuman Kesehatan ||Souvenir Pernikahan Unik ||Toko Online ||Kolom Ayah || Keluarga Bahagia

Submitted by Mobil Keluarga Ideal Terbaik Indonesia (not verified) on January 9, 2011 - 10:00pm.

this info is excellent....
happy new year 2011, and visit please to Mobil Keluarga Ideal Terbaik Indonesia thank's

Submitted by cornleiu (not verified) on January 10, 2011 - 3:29pm.

I must agree with you... excellent info
six pack abs

Submitted by Mobil Keluarga Ideal Terbaik Indonesia (not verified) on January 8, 2011 - 9:01am.

Amazingly webpage, I like how your website looks! The toyota car is amazing!…mobil keluarga ideal terbaik indonesia

Submitted by moona (not verified) on January 11, 2011 - 2:11am.

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
Roses And Roses | CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Submitted by Jack (not verified) on December 25, 2010 - 5:22pm.

So far, Google Maps panic attack treatment draw a set of small, square images arranged in a map you could see on ipod touch 3rd generation
the screen of your phone (probably seen this set of gray squares that are filling the other hand, images downloaded from the network). From now on we introduce the use of vector graphics to draw a dynamic map on your device, allowing you go with her to interact in new ways, through:

Submitted by artrepro (not verified) on December 23, 2010 - 2:39am.

Commissioning a rembrandt paintings painting from renoir paintings an artist is a great way to abstract oil paintings get exactly what you were matisse paintings looking for, without having to goya paintings compromise. Often modern oil paintings you can have oil painting from photo the artist base your painting upon wholesale oil painting an existing work that really oil paintings wholesale caught your eye. flower oil painting You can dictate what color theme, still life oil paintings size and more you would like seascape oil paintings to be incorporated van gogh oil paintings into the painting. The end oil painting supplies result will be a piece that is exactly what floral oil paintings you are picturing in your mind's custom oil painting eye, and it will be a complete original horse oil painting.
Most contemporary painters are happy abstract paintings for sale to have someone think so much of their work as to want to have an original created for them too. iphone cases
iphone covers
iphone 3gs cases
iphone 3g cases
iphone 4 cases
white iphone 4
iphone 4 white
white iphone
white iphone 4 available

Submitted by bego08 (not verified) on January 11, 2011 - 10:08pm.

I like your blog, is very informative
---------------------------------------------------

Submitted by Travel Cantik (not verified) on January 9, 2011 - 3:08pm.

Cheap Tikects and travel search engine - We provides a search facility airline tickets from various airlines. With this facility you can find a plane ticket to any destination city of origin and then the system will display a list of flights along the full price. Thus you can simply select the flight that suits your budget or with the cheapest price such as Cheap Flight Tickets.

Lowest Air Fare, Cheap Airlines. Cheap Hotels, Low Cost Travel , Cheap Hotels, cheap flights air fare ticket
With our travel search engine, here you can find the very really cheapest airlines and hotels tickets via online by using our airfare search box to get your lowest air fare and cheap hotels
Travel Trip Advisor by Free 7 Network

And the following my other stuffs around SEO, blogging activities, some travel informations from my country, Indonesia....
stop korupsi dan suap di Indonesia,event organizer,SEO Website , By free website templates

bokep indonesia
cewek cantik
blogger indonesia
gila seo
stop dreaming start action
iwan r
stop korupsi dan suap di indonesia
uang dari bisnis internet
putra pertama
politik gue
kontes seo joko susilo
perlunya web komunitas event organizer
tengkorak sakti
teman cerita
blog
sang visioner
kata motivasi cinta
web komunitas
seo cantik
kata motivasi
kata motivasi cinta
kata motivasi cinta
kata motivasi cinta

Submitted by librasf (not verified) on December 21, 2010 - 7:16am.

commented
software houses in hyderabad

Submitted by Moddy (not verified) on December 20, 2010 - 3:25pm.

Yes it is Good Very good article
Thank you for writing it here for us
buy generic viagra online

Submitted by Moddy (not verified) on December 20, 2010 - 3:23pm.

Yes it is Good Very good article
Thank you for writing it here for us
buy generic viagra online

Submitted by santi (not verified) on December 20, 2010 - 3:03pm.

the way we keep in peace will be difficult if we never want to understand each other..
news

Submitted by solar heater (not verified) on December 15, 2010 - 10:42pm.

thank you for this information, i think what the happens in congo can be right back with UN. solar heater
cyber wing
advencher quest
celebrity party

Submitted by BrianAdam (not verified) on December 14, 2010 - 11:30am.

More information in this video.
Clear voice and video.
Thanks for sharing.

| How To Bake A Turkey |

| How To Cook Rice |

| How To Cook Chicken |

| Guided Mindfulness Meditation |

Submitted by lola (not verified) on December 3, 2010 - 1:30pm.

You certainly have a way of covering sensitive matters and subjects in a certain light. discount some of the key factors and you still need to report.

Submitted by jo, disc (not verified) on December 3, 2010 - 1:27pm.

60 minutes certainly cover difficult topics and tricky subjects which can make people uncomfortable, but I guess journalism is about this.

Submitted by Rob Cohen (not verified) on December 4, 2010 - 6:56pm.

It was foretold to me that this is how things would be. After 10 years, I am not surprised at what you must say. Speed Dating NYC

Submitted by Administrator (not verified) on December 2, 2010 - 4:48am.

'charmed seasons' your chuck dvd attention as chuck series the criminal minds season third curb your enthusiasm seasons best desperate housewives dvds film must disney 100 years of magic dvd be in dollhouse dvd your collection deadwood dvd of doctor who dvd movies. Because eli stone this film eli stone dvds can entourage season have fun entourage series and family guy dvds adults frasier dvds during friends dvds the ghost whisperer dvd holidays. ghost whisperer season The gilmore girls series film gossip girl dvd revolves grey's anatomy dvd around golden girls dvd two hex dvd best friends hogan's heroes dvd separated house md dvd after little house on the prairie dvd completion little house on the prairie series of high lie to me dvd school la femme nikita dvd and the l word dvd entering lost dvd the monk dvd various monk seasons faculties. nip tuck dvds They ncis dvds love one tree hill dvd season to be one tree hill series the profiler dvds last prison break dvds party pushing daisies dvds before seinfeld dvds going sopranos dvd away. sopranos dvd But star trek dvd they DVD are Office 2007 kind Office 2007 Professional of Office 2007 Key smart Office 2007 Download to Office 2010 drink Microsoft Office 2010 for Office 2010 Key the Office 2010 Download party Windows 7 and Download Windows 7 make them Buy Windows 7 look Windows 7 Professional cool. Microsoft Office 2007 It is Office 2007 now Download Office 2007 one of MS Office 2007 the best Cheap Microsoft Office 2007 comedy film Microsoft Office 2007 Professional and a nice Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise pick up Download Office 2010 for fun.

Submitted by Harrishcolin (not verified) on November 25, 2010 - 11:16pm.

Thank you for this nice video

my blog: lemonade diet | how to get a six pack

Submitted by Chris (not verified) on November 12, 2010 - 12:25pm.

If either side gain control of this gold, is going to fuel arms purchases - and that could be a significant advantage over the other side.
ex back

Submitted by Jhonson Krew (not verified) on November 8, 2010 - 8:25am.

LowFareKing.com offers great deals on discount hotels, flight, vacation packages, activities and more.

Submitted by yooo (not verified) on October 26, 2010 - 11:25pm.

For those of you who are purchasing Titanium Jewelry or Titanium Necklaces, we realize that this is one of the most important purchasing decisions you will make. You have made the best choice in choosing one of our Cross Titanium Necklaces, Titanium Pendants or Titanium Rings, as they are constructed of the highest grade materials to ensure that your new Titanium Jewelry lasts forever. The designers we feature are chosen for their unique modern styling and lasting quality. You can be confident in your purchase as each item comes with a no hassle 30 day return privilege.

Submitted by Tyler (not verified) on May 22, 2010 - 12:36pm.

I think that since we all saw blood diamonds movie, conflict diamonds should be banned. A shame for all people buying conflict diamonds.

Submitted by buy foreclosed homes (not verified) on May 19, 2010 - 5:18am.

ou man.., I’ve never seen an article like this.
It was very nice reading it.
enoughproject.org is awesome!
keep up the good work, I’ll definitely come back to enoughproject.org!

Submitted by Campionatul Mondial (not verified) on May 17, 2010 - 1:14pm.

Thanks for sharing this one, too bad I saw it too late...

Submitted by entertaining appetizer recipes (not verified) on May 9, 2010 - 7:54pm.

Excellent topics. I really like this topics, I found this from online that, each recipe has been tested and each one has come out perfect If not, they are not added to the site. All you need to know is how to make the perfect dishes.

Submitted by sammy54 (not verified) on May 6, 2010 - 5:39am.

Submitted by Nily (not verified) on May 4, 2010 - 9:43pm.

I remember the Blood Diamond era, when diamonds from conflict regions financed the wars in some part of Africa. It was tough to believe that the diamond I was buying was causing deaths in Africa, and the promotions featuring this fact led to the eventual stopping of wars in those regions. I am pretty sure a similar campaign will stop gold smuggling too, thus stopping the finance for Congo's war.
box shop and guilt

Submitted by Praslin Island (not verified) on May 4, 2010 - 4:26am.

Is the jewellery industry actually fuelling the wars in Africa? ...In particular Congo? If so then yes it's time for the consumers to take away their support of that trade in gold sales and production unless it comes from a region which is free of conflict. But is it feasible? It looks like Africa has always been a place of conflict and this is true even of tiny Seychelles.
Mahe La Digue Island

Submitted by cindy (not verified) on April 22, 2010 - 12:31pm.

now congo? are we moving the problem across borders or can we finally put an end to this. the amputations get to me.

Submitted by dklxtzi (not verified) on April 10, 2010 - 8:56am.

WOq6vj uupckueqrknr, [url=http://ypycazuerear.com/]ypycazuerear[/url], [link=http://xgvhjvdflxch.com/]xgvhjvdflxch[/link], http://qrwrwpyimgbt.com/

Submitted by get him back forever review (not verified) on April 7, 2010 - 4:30am.

Thanks for sharing.

Submitted by keiron (not verified) on April 4, 2010 - 3:17pm.

I like all your post.I will keep visiting this blog very often.It is good to see you verbalise from the heart and your clarity on this important subject can be easily observed.Zack

Submitted by Jason (not verified) on May 15, 2010 - 2:01am.

I agree, diamonds we purchase should not be use to finance war. thyroid support

Submitted by HomeSearch (not verified) on April 2, 2010 - 7:17pm.

HomeSearchFinder.com site donne des informations exhaustives sur les prêts au logement prêt FHA, VA prêts hypothécaires, les prêts au logement USDA, classiques prêts d'accueil. Il ya des pages web pour chaque grande ville en Californie avec des produits de prêts spécifiques à la ville y compris l'assistance de la ville d'un versement initial offert.
Cudahy Ca Foreclosures | Home For Sale 3.5% FHA Home For Sale | DANVILLE Ca Foreclosures 100% VA DUBLIN Ca Foreclosures | GARDEN GROVE Ca Foreclosures Zero Down USDA LA PUENTE Ca Foreclosures | LIVERMORE Ca Foreclosures Half Percent Down MILPITAS Ca Foreclosures | MISSION VIEJO Ca Foreclosures 203 K FHA ORANGE Ca Foreclosures | PETALUMA Ca Foreclosures Conventional Loans REDONDO BEACH Ca Foreclosures | SAN LEANDRO Ca Foreclosures Jumbo Loans South Pasadena Ca Foreclosures

Submitted by atlas (not verified) on April 4, 2010 - 5:18am.

A website should be unique and should be capable of representing the company best. It helps the company to earn more profits on investments faster.

Under Armour

Submitted by ParIurI SpOrtiVe (not verified) on March 16, 2010 - 3:51am.

Superbe article, vraiment simple et utile. Bravo pour sa mise en ligne. C’est ce genre d’information que le public (et moi en particulier) recherche free bonus codes buy legal steroids pariuri sportive

Submitted by Mikdev3 (not verified) on March 4, 2010 - 4:32pm.

When people will stop thinking about only money? chicago movers chicago local movers chicago moving rates

Submitted by Linda (not verified) on March 4, 2010 - 2:30pm.

We should definitely strive for all of our goods and services to be from productivity that does not involve war. Great post!

Submitted by ca homes (not verified) on March 2, 2010 - 3:18pm.

I watch Blood diamond movie and at first I was wondering if it is really happen , and I made a little research and I found out it was real.

Submitted by Johan (not verified) on February 1, 2010 - 2:41am.

thank you for sharing it!

Submitted by without prescription (not verified) on April 12, 2010 - 6:34am.

I've been taking Seroquel for a year. I've noticed when I work out or have sex, I sweat profusely, about 2 to 3 times more than before I was taking the drug

Submitted by Essay Writer (not verified) on February 1, 2010 - 2:34am.

Thank you for posting this very informative article about the Conflict Minerals in Congo. It's really relevant to my academic paper. Can I used this write up as my reference for my Development Communication scholarly paper?

Well, thanks a lot! Adios!

Submitted by rashoodollison (not verified) on January 21, 2010 - 3:18am.

good work, will back soon, great site congratulation!!
life experience associate degree | Corllins University

Submitted by rashoodollison (not verified) on January 21, 2010 - 2:50am.

Just dropping in to let you know you have an interesting site. I hope you’ll continue to work on it. Wishing you all the best.
online degree | accredited life experience degree | life experience degree program

Submitted by sherrygbrooker (not verified) on January 4, 2010 - 2:04am.

really interesting and well written article

Join Our Email List

Categories

Conflict Areas

Blog Series

Our Campaigns & Initiatives

Announcements

Archive

Blog Roll

Books by John Prendergast

60 Minutes Spotlights Gold, Conflict Minerals Fueling Congo's War

About

Blog

Conflict Areas

Events

News

Publications

Take Action

Our Sister Sites