Blood in the Mobile

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Minerals from The Democratic Republic of Congo are used in mobile phones

In the past 15 years 5 million people have died as a consequence of civil war in DR Congo

The UN have for years reported links between the minerals trade and the war

Hi, my name is Frank Poulsen. Im a film-maker from Denmark.

The thing is Id like to visit you at Nokias headquarters-

-and make an interview about your corporate responsability-

Maybe you could refer me to some spokesperson?

No, unfortunately I cant do that.

My first phone was a Nokia, and Ive used Nokia ever since.

at one point I had a Sony-Ericsson, but I changed it back to a Nokia.

Can I ask you...? Ive heard-

that minerals used in mobile phones are coming from the eastern Congo.

Im not familiar with thta, so I need to do some research before I answer you.

-Sorry.

-No interviews!

Theres a press conference at 10,30, but its invite only, Im afraid.

Do our phones really contain minerals that finance war in the Congo?

And if the world knows about this, why hasnt anybody done anything?

Or is the Congo just too far away?

I cant live with the fact that my phone might be financing war.

I cant keep sending loving text messages to my wife-

-or talk to my daughters, if it has cost lives in the Congo.

If theres blood in my mobile.

My phone company is renowned for their social responsability.

They will know whether there are blood minerals in my phone or not.

-Were here to visit Nokia.

-Okay, whos your Nokia host?

-We have no host.

-You havent been registered?

-No

-Then I need to register you.

-Can I get a business card?

-Yes.

You should talk to our comms person.

They know more about it.

What topic are you interested in?

Ive heard that minerals used in mobile phones-

Come from eastern Congo and have been financing the war there.

And that is a big problem for the mobile industry.

Well, the girls over there can sort you out, so you can speak with someone.

Ill call my colleague and tell her that youre on your way.

We dont have anybody who can comment on that today.

But Ill take your contact details, and then well make sure to get back.

-Its better with a separate time.

-Okay. Thank you very much, Bye.

My names Poulsen. Id like to speak to someone from communications.

Hold the line, please...Theres nobody who can help you right now.

-Okay, but who should I speak to?

-Im not sure at the moment.

I dont have a contact person. Just this one phone number.

I dont know where the person you need to see is located.

This person may be located somewhere else, or...

Oskar Sodergren, Nokia. I cant take your call, but please leave a message.

If urgent, please text me, and Ill get back as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Why wont they talk to me? Are they using blood minerals?

If thats true it hardly matches their description as a human corporation.

If they are blood minerals in my phone, it gives a new picture of Nokia.

Maybe Nokia arent as socially responsible as I thought they were.

Im on my way to the Congo to see where the minerals come from-

-and to see with my own eyes if they are financing war.

Congo was made a private slave colony 100 years ago-

by King Leopold II. He became one of the richest men in the world-

-by selling rubber from the Congo. It was early industrialization-

-and the booming car industry depended on rubber from the Congo.

Today the Congo is extremely poor despite all its natural resources.

During the past 15 years more than 5 million have died in eastern Congo-

-in a war between several armed groups. And it is estimated-

-that no less than 300.000 women have been raped.

How do I find my way into the mining business in a place like this?

I manage to arrange a meeting with Mr. Kampekampe from the ministry.

Hopefully he can send me in the right direction.

It would be best to film me tomorrow, not tonight!

Not tonight.

This night Im not working.

-No...

-Im drinking my beer.

-Right...

Good morning, Mr. Undersecretary.

Here are samples of cassiterite that come from Kivu.

Here we have a sample of coltan, that comes from Kivu.

Theyre used in electronics. Mobile phones, for instance.

Kampekampe says I have to go to Kivu to look for blood minerals.

He also owns a private company. Hes not only working for the ministry.

Hes paid by foreign corporations for helping them to obtain licenses-

-from his own ministry.

But isnt there a conflict of interests-

-being both working for the ministry and for the private sector?

Youre sitting on both sides of the table.

Its good, because I have two experiences.

I can use my private experiencie here.

And I can use my experience here for my private business.

But in my country, in Denmark-

-it would be illegal to be working as a civil servant-

-in a ministry of mining and then be a privater miner.

-I dont have decision.

-Who has?

I dont know. Thats politics. Im not a politician.

Im a scientist. And a businessman.

Not a politician.

Thank you.

The only safe way to fly in the Congo is with the UN peace-keeping forces.

Im on my way to Goma in the northern Kivu.

I dont know if the Kivus is the right place to go, but I have no other leads.

This seems like the right place to look for blood minerals.

No other place in the world has so many UN peace-keeping troops.

Their mission is to protect civilians against the armed groups.

But the "blue helmets" rarely go far from major towns and main roads.

The UN must know whos making money on the minerals here.

In the UN HQ I contact major Rahman, whos in charge of the Walikale area.

I need to know the exact whereabouts of the mines, and if their minerals-

-are financing armed groups.

-Okay, here we go.

-Okay, gentlmen..

This is a map of the Walikale territory.

Its very important area regarding mining and natural resources.

There are two important localities in the area: Bisie and Kilambo.

Cassiterite and bauxite are two minerals that are being excavated.

In Bisie 15-20.000 people are employed in the profession of-

-carrying and mining the minerals. 1 It takes

two days to reach either of these places.

-And the armed groups of the area?

-I cant speak of those.

Frank Im only going to speak about these facts.

-So you wont ..

-Right...

Ill speak about Kilambo and the construction of the airstrip.

I already told you about the two minerals being excavated in Bisie.

-You cant say its financing...

-Ive pointed out the players here.

-But you cant say that its financing...? Okay, thats fine.

-Anything in particular?

-I think were there.

-Just have something.

-Right. Thanks...

Why wont major Rahman tell me that the groups are financed by mining-

-when it has been started in UN reports? What is he afraid of?

I get the feeling that even the UN is threatened here.

Of the many mines in the area, Bisie is apparently the biggest.

And it has earned a bloody history in recent years.

I want to see the mine whith my own eyes.

The question is if I can get the UN to fly me out there.

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