[shkkmo]

> nothing changes until the local government has to change it.

Yes, the US government could pass laws and start fining companies that use child labor is their supply chain. You better bet that losing access to the world's largest consumer economy would force the mining companies to change their practices.

You can choose to absolve yourself of responsibility for the actions of these mining companies, but our collective purchasing choices definitely have a direct causal effect on these types of abuses.

> the liability is with the mining company and national government of Congo.

Asserting that liability can only rest with a single party is simple minded.