Qui achète le coltan de contrebande du Rwanda ?

Global Witness reveals that coltan from conflict-affected mines in the DRC is being smuggled into Rwanda, where it is laundered through traceability systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The report identifies seven Rwandan companies dominating these exports, which are then processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, potentially reaching major global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota.

• The M23 rebel group, supported by the Rwandan army, seized control of the Rubaya mines in April 2024, making coltan a primary source of funding, generating an estimated 800,000 US dollars per month since May 2024.
• Coltan smuggling from the DRC to Rwanda reached unprecedented levels, with over 1,400 tonnes passing illegally by 2025, facilitated by Rwandan officials who are aware of and assist in the trade.
• Rwandan coltan exports increased 2.5 times between 2021 and 2025, a surge that reflects the explosion of smuggling rather than local production, as official figures contradict geological studies and independent data.
• The ITSCI traceability system is being used to launder smuggled coltan, with exporters in Kigali labeling DRC minerals as Rwandan to grant them a 'seal of legitimacy'.
• Seven Rwandan companies exported approximately 85% of the country's coltan between January 2023 and September 2025; at least five of these—African Panther Resources, Sunrise Metal Company, Boss Mining Solution, Kanzamin, and Philbert Trading Minerals—were found to have purchased conflict coltan from Rubaya.
• Conflict coltan is processed by eight identified smelters, primarily in China (such as Ningxia Orient Tantalum Industry Co. and Jiujiang Tanbre Co.), as well as in Kazakhstan (Ulba Metallurgical Plant) and Thailand (Taniobis).
• The Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) audits failed to identify conflict coltan in the supply chains of several smelters, including Jiujiang Tanbre Co., Jiujiang Jinxin Nonferrous Metals Co., and Ulba, all of which were judged compliant despite evidence of sourcing conflict minerals.
• Conflict-linked tantalum may have entered the products of major international brands, including Microsoft, Vodafone, Sony, Amazon, Nvidia, LG Display, Ericsson, Toyota, and Apple.

APA

Global Witness (2026). Qui achète le coltan de contrebande du Rwanda ? https://globalwitness.org/documents/1017/Global_Witness_Qui_achete_le_coltan_de_contrebande_du_Rwanda.pdf

Chicago

Global Witness. Qui achète le coltan de contrebande du Rwanda ? 2026. https://globalwitness.org/documents/1017/Global_Witness_Qui_achete_le_coltan_de_contrebande_du_Rwanda.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Witness |title=Qui achète le coltan de contrebande du Rwanda ? |date=June 2026 |url=https://globalwitness.org/documents/1017/Global_Witness_Qui_achete_le_coltan_de_contrebande_du_Rwanda.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalwitness2026qui, author = {{Global Witness}}, title = {{Qui achète le coltan de contrebande du Rwanda ?}}, institution = {Global Witness}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://globalwitness.org/documents/1017/Global_Witness_Qui_achete_le_coltan_de_contrebande_du_Rwanda.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }