DEVELOPED WORLD CHECKS ON DEVELOPING WORLD:

Exploration and mining company Societe Miniere de Bisunzu (SMB) runs this coltan mine, near the town of Rubaya, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Coltan – short for columbite-tantalite – is used to produce tantalum capacitors for electronic devices. When refined, the 80% DRC-hosted black tar-like mineral becomes a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electric charge. Developed world companies are under pressure to prove that metals from developing world are resourced responsibly and SMB uses a system of tags that provide traceability.