By Rwanda begins tracking conflict metal, tantalum using blockchain technology. Rwanda begins tracking conflict metal, tantalum using blockchain technology. Another day and yet another use for blockchain technology revealed. This time it’s Rwanda, as the African nation has recently looked to blockchain in order to track supply chains for the metal tantalum which is used in consumer electronics. This comes in a bid for the country to address concerns about conflict metals & minerals in global markets.
Francis Gatare, a Rwandan cabinet minister & CEO of the Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board of Rwanda announced this blockchain initiative a Rwandan Mining Association meeting that took place on October 16 stating that the “new and innovative mineral traceability solution” has already been implemented” by at least one exporter from Rwanda.”
Fun fact, Rwanda is one the world’s largest exporters of tantalum concentrates and produced about half of the planet’s supply back in 2014 according to Nature, a science journal. This is not without saying that mineral markets are ever-wary over the mineral’s reputation as a conflict mineral amid international agreements which have been put in place I order to counter any questionable side of the trade.
The Rwandan government has teamed up with London-based startup Circulor to assist with the technical side of the rollout. Circulor offers a supply chain tracking solution which is built upon Hyperledger Fabric.
This product’s in part is aimed to promote the ethical sourcing of mining products
PRG Resources, a mining firm that supplies Apple with tantalum for their products was a part of the pilot and has begun using the system in their production efforts.
Circulor CEO, Douglas Johson-Poensgen had this to say:
“Circulor will not only assist miners in Rwanda to adhere to strict guidelines laid out in international agreements to remove conflict minerals from the supply chain but will also record all the production stages before a smartphone or computer reaches the consumer.”
The use of blockchain and smart contracts tech is fast becoming an innovative trend within the mining industry and many others. (Dairy industry, farming as reported by CoinBeat). Back in May, African mining giant De Beers also launched a blockchain trial to track diamonds from mine all the way to retail.
As we’ve reported numerous times, the uses for blockchain technology are seemingly endless. Could this be what the mining industry needs in order to completely wipe out conflict metals & minerals? Let us know thoughts.
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