Final answer:
The majority of the world's coltan, which is used to produce tantalum for electronic devices, is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the eastern Kivu regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
80% of the world's coltan supply is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in the eastern Kivu regions. Coltan is a critical mineral used for the production of tantalum, which is essential in the manufacturing of electronic circuits found in high-demand electronic devices such as cell phones and video game systems. In addition to coltan, the Congo is a major producer of cobalt, used in aircraft engines, medical implants, and high-performance batteries, with significant mining operations occurring in the southeastern Katanga state. The wealth of minerals in the region has been linked to ongoing conflicts, as both local and international parties vie for control over valuable resources like zinc, diamonds, copper, and gold, contributing to the Second Congo War and continuous strife.