Coltan, the ore of war

You may not know that your cell phone, and most of the basic technological devices in our daily lives, contains a mineral called Coltan. It is extracted from Congo , and is the culprit of an endless number of deaths and wars in this country because it is here where 80% of its reserve is located.

Coltan or columbite, is composed of iron, manganese, biobe and tantalum.It is an essential mineral to manufacture certain parts of infinity of electronic devices, an element that is part of the electrolytic capacitors .All our computers, telephones and even the consoles of airplanes (also missiles and even central nuclear), they have this indispensable and almost magical element, but almost all of us do not know what history lies behind that small fiber of coltan installed in our devices, terrible stories of human exploitation, of wars and murders, in order to have control of the precious mines where this mineral is more appreciated than any diamond.

The Coltan and its terrible price

Surely you know the complicated economic and social situation of Congo.Located in the heart of Africa , it stands as one of the poorest countries in the world.It is probably one of the most convulsive corners of the world, where murders, corruption and armed struggle are common.

Despite having 80% of the Coltan in the world in its mines, its situation has not changed at any time.Something like that could have led to its wealth and social progress, but nevertheless, it has not been that way.What is obtained by the exploitation of this mineral is not invested in health or education, it is used to finance wars .To invest in even more corrupt governments left I have the vicious circle feed itself without allowing any progress.

Coltan, the ore of war

It is true that many technology companies have tried to improve life in the coltan mines, demanding that children and women not work in them Due to the harsh conditions to which they are subjected.But the jobs are controlled by armed groups where it is impossible to approach or change something of the established.The children are cheap labor, are perfect to enter through the tunnels and are very much in demand to extract the precious Coltan.No one knows how many children have already died in the mines.

It may seem incredible to you, but the reluctance to control the exploitation of this mineral causes innumerable attacks, murders and wars.1998 began one that lasted until 2003, a confrontation where they died near 3.8 millions of people. A violent split between Hutus and Tutsis where children, in addition to being cheap labor, also became soldiers.

Coltan, the ore of war

It is very difficult to access these areas to find out what the conditions are those that are currently working, but it is known that nothing has improved, that the problems and the farms are still present day by day and moment by moment, in order to extract a tiny piece of Coltan to introduce in our latest generation phones.

There are many projects that have been initiated to find another element to replace this mineral, especially something that is much more economical .Producers know that in the long term Coltan will end up becoming extinct in the Congo, hence the need to find an alternative.

Coltan, the ore of war

Until then, the calamity will continue to live in the Congo, as long as we remain without ask us where these pieces come from on our mobile. Unable to imagine maybe everything that is hidden in all these devices...

Image: Responsible Sourcing Netw

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