Coltan is a mineral containing tantalum which is very rare, precious and highly sought after throughout the world (Hayes & Burge 2003: 11). Tantalum has twice the density of steel and is extremely resistant to heat and corrosion (Hayes & Burge 2003: 11). In the majority of high-tech electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones and game consoles, it is used as capacitors or superalloys to conduct electrical charges in these electronic equipment (Bleischwitz et al. 2012: 20). Nearly ten years ago, Australia was the leading country responsible for 60% of global tantalum production (Hayes & Burge 2003: 11). However, in 2008 Australia's largest tantalum producer, Talison, faced a financial crisis and suffered a global market collapse (Bleischwitz et al. 2012: 20). In Canada, only 4% of Canadian tantalum is produced, although this dates back to 2001 and since then Canada's global market share of tantalum production has gradually declined (Hayes and Burge 2003: 17). After the drastic fall in tantalum production in Australia, Central Africa became the largest supplier of tantalum in the world and is expected to continue to be the main supplier of this mineral in the future (Bleischwitz et al. 2012: 21) . There is no central market for tantalum and all the largest tantalum mines are sold in advance under fixed price contracts (Hayes & Burge 2003: 11). Therefore, it is very common for dealers to set prices on an individual transaction basis (Hayes & Burge 2003: 11). The demand for tantalum has increased over the last 10 to 15 years, especially with rapid technological progress making it of very high economic importance (Bleischwitz et al. 2012: 21). Thus, social, political and environmental issues are addressed...... middle of paper ......ards due to high exposures to toxins from mined minerals. (World Vision 2013: 5). Additionally, the recruitment of children into regular armies and militias has been linked to the Congo conflict, with children as young as eight becoming war soldiers (Hayes and Burge 2003: 30-31). These child soldiers typically begin as runners, bodyguards, porters or spies, then learn to use weapons and serve in combat (Hayes & Burge 2003: 31). Human rights violations also extend to women and girls as young as five years old who are sexually assaulted, gang raped, sold into sex slavery, have their genitals mutilated and murdered (Hayes & Burge 2003: 30). . Although the United Nations and international aid agencies attempt to put an end to human rights violations, the exploitation of children and human beings remains a major ethical concern in the DRC (Hayes & Burge 2003: 32).