Coltan is the ore from which tantalum is extracted. Tantalum has many uses, but one of its greatest is in the electrolytic capacitors used in cell phones and computers. As great and necessary as these devices are, the world community needs to recognize the great cost paid by the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the coltan mined in the world comes from Congo and it is the source of ongoing strife and atrocities. Here is a brief video.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Cell Phones, War, and Rape in the DRC
I usually post items about our little enclave of Belmont Heights, but many of us use cell phones and laptops and here is a related, compelling story we, even here in our tidy bungalows, should be aware of.
Coltan is the ore from which tantalum is extracted. Tantalum has many uses, but one of its greatest is in the electrolytic capacitors used in cell phones and computers. As great and necessary as these devices are, the world community needs to recognize the great cost paid by the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the coltan mined in the world comes from Congo and it is the source of ongoing strife and atrocities. Here is a brief video.
Coltan is the ore from which tantalum is extracted. Tantalum has many uses, but one of its greatest is in the electrolytic capacitors used in cell phones and computers. As great and necessary as these devices are, the world community needs to recognize the great cost paid by the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the coltan mined in the world comes from Congo and it is the source of ongoing strife and atrocities. Here is a brief video.
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