From DRC to Japan: The Mines That Built the Atomic Bomb

From DRC to Japan: the mines that built the bomb.

Download • 3.39MB

Cover page of the resources produced to help raise awareness on the nuclear weapons issue and its role in the DRC humanitarian crisis.

For decades, the story of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been told with a focus on the devastating impact of nuclear weapons. However, a crucial part of this history remains largely overlooked—the origins of the uranium that fueled these bombs. From DRC to Japan: The Mines That Built the Atomic Bomb exposes the deep colonial roots of uranium extraction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its lasting consequences.

This research paper explores how Belgian colonial rule exploited Congolese resources, leading to forced labor, environmental devastation, and long-term health risks. The Shinkolobwe mine, a key supplier of uranium for the Manhattan Project, played a pivotal role in shaping global nuclear history, yet the Congolese people were left to bear the consequences. Even today, mining operations continue to impact local communities, raising urgent concerns about environmental racism, neocolonialism, and human rights violations.

Through in-depth research and expert analysis, this paper connects the dots between past and present, shedding light on the militarization of minerals, the exploitation of local communities, and the ongoing struggle for justice.

Read and download "From DRC to Japan: The Mines That Built the Atomic Bomb" above to uncover the untold story of uranium mining in the DRC and its impact on global history.