DRC urges Security Council to back Kimberley-style traceability for coltan and other critical minerals
August 02, 2026 | United Nations, International
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A presenter conveying the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (RDC) position urged the Security Council to adopt stronger measures to formalize artisanal mining and ensure traceability of critical minerals, saying the 21st century is defined by those resources.
"Le vingt-et-unième siècle est celui des minerais critiques," the presenter said, arguing that modern technologies and defense systems increasingly depend on specific metals. The speaker warned that rare earths and coltan are frequently found in conflict zones and pointed to coltan's role in components used in phones and other technologies.
The presenter framed the request as both a development and security concern. "Ce que la RDC voudrait réellement formaliser le secteur artisanal et que les secteurs miniers puissent garantir une tra e7abilit e9, puissent garantir des sources d'approvisionnement responsables," the speaker said, advocating formalization of the artisanal sector and supply-chain standards so that mineral production benefits the country and populations affected by mining.
On sovereignty, the presenter asked that national borders and a country's authority over its mineral resources be respected: "Si la RDC a du coltan dans l'est de son pays, la RDC voudrait **** en toute indépendance, en toute souverainet e9 de sa richesse et de sa dotation min e9rale en coltan." The transcript contains an obscured passage at that point; the speaker's general point was a demand for sovereign control over mineral wealth.
Turning to the Security Council, the presenter urged application of international tracing mechanisms. "Faire en sorte que des processus comme le processus de Kimberley... puissent s'appliquer sur certains m e9taux dits critiques afin de r e9duire ou de couper l'herbe sous les pieds de tout cela," the speaker said, proposing Kimberley-style tracing to reduce illicit markets for stolen or conflict-sourced metals.
The statement emphasized governance and transparency as prerequisites for responsible mining and development. The speaker asked the Security Council to "r e9duire le gap" between decisions and their applicability so that traceability and accountability measures can be enforced.
No formal action or vote is recorded in the transcript. The presenter's remarks were a policy appeal urging international traceability standards and stronger governance to prevent minerals from fueling conflict while ensuring benefits reach affected communities.
"Le vingt-et-unième siècle est celui des minerais critiques," the presenter said, arguing that modern technologies and defense systems increasingly depend on specific metals. The speaker warned that rare earths and coltan are frequently found in conflict zones and pointed to coltan's role in components used in phones and other technologies.
The presenter framed the request as both a development and security concern. "Ce que la RDC voudrait réellement formaliser le secteur artisanal et que les secteurs miniers puissent garantir une tra e7abilit e9, puissent garantir des sources d'approvisionnement responsables," the speaker said, advocating formalization of the artisanal sector and supply-chain standards so that mineral production benefits the country and populations affected by mining.
On sovereignty, the presenter asked that national borders and a country's authority over its mineral resources be respected: "Si la RDC a du coltan dans l'est de son pays, la RDC voudrait **** en toute indépendance, en toute souverainet e9 de sa richesse et de sa dotation min e9rale en coltan." The transcript contains an obscured passage at that point; the speaker's general point was a demand for sovereign control over mineral wealth.
Turning to the Security Council, the presenter urged application of international tracing mechanisms. "Faire en sorte que des processus comme le processus de Kimberley... puissent s'appliquer sur certains m e9taux dits critiques afin de r e9duire ou de couper l'herbe sous les pieds de tout cela," the speaker said, proposing Kimberley-style tracing to reduce illicit markets for stolen or conflict-sourced metals.
The statement emphasized governance and transparency as prerequisites for responsible mining and development. The speaker asked the Security Council to "r e9duire le gap" between decisions and their applicability so that traceability and accountability measures can be enforced.
No formal action or vote is recorded in the transcript. The presenter's remarks were a policy appeal urging international traceability standards and stronger governance to prevent minerals from fueling conflict while ensuring benefits reach affected communities.
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