DRC: UN panel on plunder of resources publishes final report

One hundred and twenty five companies and individuals have been listed in a report for having contributed directly or indirectly to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A United Nations committee investigating the plunder of gems and minerals in the DRC said: "Illegal exploitation remains one of the main sources of funding for groups involved in perpetuating conflict." The DRC has reserves of gems, cobalt, copper, gold, timber, uranium and coltan, a component for electronic chips in cell phones and laptop computers.