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Officials in E. Congo stop UN-registered vehicle carrying more than 2,600 pounds of minerals
KINSHASA, Congo — An official in Congo’s east says authorities have stopped a U.N.-registered vehicle carrying more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of minerals near the border with Rwanda.
North Kivu governor Julien Paluku says an employee of …
An official in Congo’s east says authorities have stopped a United Nations (U.N.)-registered vehicle carrying more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of minerals near the border with Rwanda.
North Kivu governor Julien Paluku says an employee of MONUSCO, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, was aboard the vehicle when it was stopped Sunday evening. He says the vehicle was carrying cassiterite. He says he does not have the MONUSCO employee’s nationality but was seeking more details on Monday.
A MONUSCO spokesman said he could not immediately comment.
Mineral trade and mining have fueled conflict in eastern Congo for over a decade. Congo has vast reserves of gold, copper, diamonds and coltan. Cassiterite is used to make cell phones, computers and other electronics.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
