UN Experts report progress in 3T due diligence and contrasting lack in the gold sector

In their midterm report recently leaked to the Inner City Press (found here) the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo noted that the iTSCi programme has superseded other approaches towards carrying out due diligence in the region, describing the progress in South Kivu and Maniema that has built on activities across Katanga in place since early 2011. Various rebel groups, as well as the Congolese army, are reported to be continuing to benefit from 3T (tin, tantalum, tungsten) mineral trade outside the areas covered by iTSCi, but most armed groups have shifted their interest to gold since due diligence efforts in that sector remain minimal to non-existent. The Experts also explained that smuggling of non-tagged 3T minerals from areas not included in the programme continue, undermining the due diligence efforts that are in place, however the process of iTSCi expansion relates more to a lack of adequate financing, particularly for start-up, and less to any security related issues as described. The Group also described problems related to stock held around the Bisie mine, and noted that during their term of investigation they have found no indication of support to M23 rebels from within Uganda, and only limited support from within Rwanda.