MNN - Mother Nature Network

More than 5 million people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo in wars funded by the dirty gold industry. Though blood diamonds have been banned for years, "blood gold" has not. There has been a growing awareness of the plight of the Congolese people who are essentially terrorized into working in the gold mines to fund a host of militia groups.

 

Here's the 60 Minutes report on Congo Gold:

 

 

Many consumers and a few major jewelers like Tiffany and Sears have stopped purchasing dirty gold from the Congo, but a new study released by advocacy group EarthWorks called Tarnished Gold (PDF) has raised concerns that both retailers and consumers need to do more to stop funding the world's most violent and sustained war. 

 

Nearly four out of five jewelry retailers and manufacturers still use conflict gold from the Congo — Target, TJ Maxx, Harry Winston — and many others need to be pressured by consumers into complying with EarthWorks' No Dirty Gold pledge. You can sign the pledge yourself and help pressure these companies into adopting a conflict-free jewelry policy.