As Volkswagen accelerates toward a greener,electric future,a growing body of evidence reveals a darker reality behind the company’s clean-energy ambitions.
A new investigation by DW and De Groene Amsterdammer has found that several smelters connected to the conflict minerals trade in Africa are part of Volkswagen’s sprawling global supply chain. The minerals in question — tantalum,tin,tungsten,and gold (3TG) — are essential for electric vehicle components like wiring and electronics. Much of the world’s 3TG supply originates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),where mining profits have long been linked to armed rebel groups and ongoing conflict.
Volkswagen’s own sourcing data includes at least six smelters accused by the European Union and DRC of handling conflict minerals — including Malaysia Smelting Corporation,Thaisarco in Thailand,and gold refineries in Rwanda and Uganda. The German automaker admitted it “cannot confirm or rule out” their involvement,blaming the “complexity of global supply chains.” Critics say that’s not good enough. “Volkswagen’s supply chain is contaminated with conflict gold,” said Marc Ummel of Swissaid. “It’s shocking such notorious smelters are still involved.”
Volkswagen is currently the only major European carmaker to publish detailed sourcing data — a move that allows scrutiny but also exposes systemic weaknesses. While the EU has import regulations,they often exclude major manufacturers like VW,who don’t import raw materials directly. As demand for electric cars rises,so does the urgency to clean up the minerals powering them.
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