Video: Conflict in Congo threatens supply of key mineral for smartphones and AI

Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could impact the global supply of tantalum, a key mineral used in capacitors for electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and AI systems.

According to a recent report by UN experts, Congo’s trade in gold, tin, and tantalum directly supports armed groups involved in widespread human rights abuses in the country.

In an interview with MINING.COM host Devan Murugan, Kyle Pronk, a research analyst at Project Blue, explains that, contrary to larger markets further south, like the copper industry, the tantalum market in Congo is concentrated in the north, an area of intense conflict.

Congo was responsible for 42% of global tantalum production in 2024.

Tantalum has not been mined in the United States since 1959.

Currently, the U.S. imports 12% of its tantalum from Congo.