Breaking the silence on Blood Coltan in Congo
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March 9, 2009
During the month of March, Camosun College’s African Awareness Committee is hosting events to raise awareness of “Blood Coltan” and other issues in Congo.
Coltan is the colloquial African term for columbite-tantalite, a metallic ore from which are extracted the elements niobium and tantalum, vital substances used in cell phones and other electronic devices.
Most Canadians are unaware of the connection between Coltan and systemic violence and war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the 1990s violence and war in Congo have escalated due to increased competition among foreign (including Canadian) mining companies sourcing cheap Coltan and other mineral resources in Congo. It is estimated that every day 1,500 people lose their lives due to violence and war in Congo, contributing to the mineral’s unfortunate label, “Blood Coltan”.
No cell phone hour
Camosun’s African Awareness Committee is a group of students, staff and faculty committed to raise awareness about African issues. On March 18, the group has organised a “No Cell Phone Hour” to encourage cell phone users to turn off their cell phones between 12:30 - 1:30pm to express their concern about Blood Coltan, and the violence and war in Congo.
“We invite as many people as possible to join the African Awareness Committee on the lawn outside the Young Building at our Lansdowne campus, to create a ‘No Cell Phone Human Art Display’,” says Dr. Francis Adu-Febiri, a member of the committee.
African issue films
The African Awareness Committee is also running a series of African issue films, and hosting guest speakers and discussions on the issues of resource conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All are welcome to attend the series in Fisher 100 at Camosun College, Lansdowne Campus.
| Blood Diamonds | Blood Coltan | The Greatest Silence |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Monday, March 16 at 7 pm | Wednesday, March 18 at 7 pm | Monday, March 23 at 7 pm |
Contact
Dr. Francis Adu-Febiri
African Awareness Committee
Camosun College
250–370–3105
adufebir@camosun.bc.ca
Last updated: April 9, 2010 3:11 pm
