VICE News | Vice Guide to Congo | Part 3 of 5

After spending the the night in Numbi, we decided to speak out at the crack of dawn to get to the bottom of the Numbi mine conflict. Consequently, we had to climb to an altitude inhospitable to city folk. As we tried to keep ourselves from vomiting, we wondered if it was really necessary for us to personally see where coltan comes from.

This was mining in the eastern Congo on a good day, when the country is ostensibly at peace. But should fighting break out again, conditions will rapidly shift from primitive to barbarous, as different groups of very patriotic armed men with a strong interest in minerals move into the area.

After reaching the summit, we looked down on a shockingly primitive scene—workers wielding pickaxes and shovels, sifting soil through their callused hands. It's something they call "artisanal mining," which kind of makes it sound like the work of snooty craftsmen who wax their mustaches. In reality, it's a bunch of mud-caked guys in galoshes hacking at the earth for $3 a day. If they're lucky.

Then we checked out the coltan storage facility which, unsurprisingly, was the nicest building in town.

To see what comes next for the VICE crew, head over to: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDD462B68623C8714&feature=addto

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[mclive29]

Hey America, this is whats called journalism

[iequalasian]

you guys have got balls of steel

[dragonred4000]

watch?v=4nRMcNCJo28&feature=re­lmfu the link to the next video

[guitarmageddon666]

Watching this on my iPad and I feel like such an asshole. If prices rise for the benefit of these people, then I am all for it

[JTKNinja]

@mclive29 Vice is based in New York...an american city. There is plenty of true American Journalism....it just get zero publicity..obviously.

[GhastlyCretin85]

Facinating stuff. 

[lazer1million]

If SOPA passes the US Congress then we will only be able to see what the mainstream corporate media wants us to see.

Like riveting news exclusives about how some celebrity farted and everyone was upset but now it's ok.

[TheJovanist]

"Mega-antibiotic..."  holy shit.

[ravn5227]

way more than 7,500 people should be watching videos like these

[totheman]

Wonder what those kids who used to work in the mines now do to make a living.

[strongbreed]

even credo mobile uses phones with these minerals in them

[NinjaFFM]

shut up paki !