Rwandan Government to Label & Track Conflict Metal Tantalum with Blockchain Tech

Another East African nation is planning to delve into blockchain following the example of the government of Kenya, which previously proclaimed it was applying blockchain to enable the effective distribution of "new government-funded housing units."

The government of Rwanda is currently considering tracking the supply chain of the metal tantalum, used in consumer electronics, with distributed ledger technology (DLT). The effort targets to reassure investors over interests on conflict minerals. 

Vital Partnership 

In collaboration with Circulor, a world supply chain ecosystem, the tantalum-tracking DLT project will allow firms to access Circulor's platform to effectively label and track the metal mined in the country as it traverses the supply chain. 

Announced by minister Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwandan Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board, the DLT platform is formed on Hyperledger Fabric. During the rollout, at a meeting of the Rwandan Mining Association, Francis revealed that the blockchain technology project is : 

"Already being implemented by at least one exporter from Rwanda. Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board today has been introduced to a new and innovative mineral traceability solution using blockchain." 

Francis noted that DLT has shown and won the trust of offering a proper method of providing traceability for products. 

Empowering Consumers 

Douglas Johnson-Poensgen, head of Circulor, said the firm employs a lot of "transparency" to the supply chain of tantalum and lowers costs for miners, tackling the present issue associated with the cost of compliance. He revealed: 

“Our blockchain platform will empower consumers to understand where the materials in the products they buy come from and also make it harder for materials that are not ethically sourced to pass through the supply chain.” 

Rwanda has been a lively source for the globe's tantalum mining. This very consumer electronics will help to protect the nation's role in the supply chain, by letting firms comply with internationally mandated moves to fight funding for conflict minerals.