Photos: The dangerous work of conflict mineral mining in the Congo

By Lyndsey Gilpin // March 31, 2014, 1:54 PM PST // lyndseygilpin

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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.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The Kalimbi mine

The Kalimbi Mine in South Kivu is in the eastern DRC.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Tunnel 20 entrance

A miner stands outside Tunnel 20.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Outside the mine

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Looking into the mountain

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Inside the mine

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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."
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Digger Moise Nyamirhali

Nyamirhali, a digger, said soldiers used to beat up diggers and steal their minerals.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The washing station

The washing station is on the mountain. Here, raw tin ore and cassiterite is washed.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Taking a break

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Separating the minerals

A washer separates the tin ore.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
A young man outside Kalimbi

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The crushing station

After they are washed, the larger pieces of ore are crushed.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The washing station

The washing process can take several hours.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The long process of washing minerals

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
The negotiant

Middleman, or negotiant, Kasole Sanvura Vie Sainte buys the raw ore from diggers.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Resting near the mine

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Using mobile phones

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Exiting the mine

A miner exits the Kalimbi mine in South Kivu, DRC.
READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies

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.

READ: How conflict minerals funded a war that killed millions, and why tech giants are finally cleaning up their act

Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies

By Lyndsey Gilpin

Lyndsey Gilpin is a former Staff Writer for TechRepublic, covering sustainability and entrepreneurship. She's co-author of the book Follow the Geeks.

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