It is a hidden secret of our increasing desire for and use of electronic gadgets that many of the minerals essential to their manufacture are both the product of, and the finance for, war.
Mineral resources are distributed by geological accident rather than geopolitical convenience. This can create the potential for enormous geological wealth in places that do not have the political and financial stability for their exploitation to benefit the communities in which they are located the 'Resource Curse'. You may be familiar with the concept of 'Blood Diamonds' from the film, but less well known is how gold, tin, tungsten and coltan can also be produced in situations of conflict and terrorism.
Apple produce an annual report to detail the source of the mineral resources that go into their iPhones, iPads and Macs showing how many of their suppliers meet international standards of human rights and environmental protection. It makes for interesting reading and it does how the importance of geological exploration to locate the resources we need in a wider variety of places. Do you think about where the minerals in your gadgets started out as rocks in the ground?
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