The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rich in minerals such as coltan, tantalum, tin and gold, copper, cobalt, zinc, cassiterite (the chief source of metallic tin), manganese, coal, silver, cadmium, germanium (a brittle element used as a semiconductor for cars and mobile phones), palladium (a metallic element used as a catalyst and in alloys), uranium, and platinum. All are coveted for their widespread use in modern technologies, like semiconductors for cars and mobile phones.