Photos: The dangerous work of conflict mineral mining in the Congo
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![Congo-Mountains.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Mountains.jpg)
![Congo-Mountains.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Mountains.jpg)
Path to the mine
Path to the mine
On the path approaching the Kalimbi mine, halfway down the mountain, there is a sharp descent where Tunnel 20 has been chipped out.
The photos of Fiona Lloyd-Davies in the DRC were supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
![Congo-Mines.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Mines.jpg)
![Congo-Mines.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Mines.jpg)
The Kalimbi mine
The Kalimbi mine
The Kalimbi Mine in South Kivu is in the eastern DRC.
![Congo-Miner-Entrance .jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Entrance%20.jpg)
![Congo-Miner-Entrance .jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Entrance%20.jpg)
Tunnel 20 entrance
Tunnel 20 entrance
A miner stands outside Tunnel 20.
![Congo-Miner4.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner4.jpg)
![Congo-Miner4.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner4.jpg)
Outside the mine
Outside the mine
![Congo-Miner2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner2.jpg)
![Congo-Miner2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner2.jpg)
Looking into the mountain
Looking into the mountain
![Congo-Miner5.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner5.jpg)
![Congo-Miner5.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner5.jpg)
Inside the mine
Inside the mine
![](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner7.jpg)
![](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner7.jpg)
Digger Ajeje Mode Mahenga
Digger Ajeje Mode Mahenga
Mahenga has been working at this mine since he was young. “I started when I was 12 years old,” he said. “The problem is the gas we smell here.I’d say that I’ve got used to the job despite everything.”
![Congo Miner](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner8.jpg)
![Congo Miner](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner8.jpg)
Digger Moise Nyamirhali
Digger Moise Nyamirhali
Nyamirhali, a digger, said soldiers used to beat up diggers and steal their minerals.
![Congo-Barrels.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Barrels.jpg)
![Congo-Barrels.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Barrels.jpg)
The processed tin
The processed tin
Kitambala Azwata Edouard is the manager of WMC, a treatment centre in Bukavu, South Kivu. These barrels are filled with processed tin ready for export.
![Congo-Miner10.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner10.jpg)
![Congo-Miner10.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner10.jpg)
The washing station
The washing station
The washing station is on the mountain. Here, raw tin ore and cassiterite is washed.
![Congo-Miner1.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner1.jpg)
![Congo-Miner1.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner1.jpg)
Taking a break
Taking a break
![Congo-Miner6.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner6.jpg)
![Congo-Miner6.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner6.jpg)
Separating the minerals
Separating the minerals
A washer separates the tin ore.
![Congo-Miner9.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner9.jpg)
![Congo-Miner9.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner9.jpg)
A young man outside Kalimbi
A young man outside Kalimbi
![Congo-Miner11.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner11.jpg)
![Congo-Miner11.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner11.jpg)
The crushing station
The crushing station
After they are washed, the larger pieces of ore are crushed.
![Congo-Miner3.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner3.jpg)
![Congo-Miner3.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner3.jpg)
The washing station
The washing station
The washing process can take several hours.
![Congo-Minerals.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Minerals.jpg)
![Congo-Minerals.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Minerals.jpg)
The long process of washing minerals
The long process of washing minerals
![Congo-Minerals2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Minerals2.jpg)
![Congo-Minerals2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Minerals2.jpg)
Refining cassiterite
Refining cassiterite
Workers refine cassiterite. It must be separated from the rest of the grit and put into barrels before it is sold and exported.
![Congo-Scale.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Scale.jpg)
![Congo-Scale.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Scale.jpg)
The negotiant
The negotiant
Middleman, or negotiant, Kasole Sanvura Vie Sainte buys the raw ore from diggers.
![Congo-Miner-Phone.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Phone.jpg)
![Congo-Miner-Phone.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Phone.jpg)
Resting near the mine
Resting near the mine
![Congo-Phone2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Phone2.jpg)
![Congo-Phone2.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Phone2.jpg)
Using mobile phones
Using mobile phones
![Congo-Miner-Exit.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Exit.jpg)
![Congo-Miner-Exit.jpg](https://assets.techrepublic.com/uploads/2014/03/Congo-Miner-Exit.jpg)
Exiting the mine
Exiting the mine
A miner exits the Kalimbi mine in South Kivu, DRC.
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