When conflicts generate billions of dollars.

From Cnn.


Tech companies make progress on 'blood phones' and 'conflict minerals'

By John D. Sutter, CNN

updated 12:13 AM EDT, Thu August 16, 2012

It's a reference to the fact that some metals used to make smartphones and other electronic gadgets are sourced from war-torn areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Experts say these "conflict minerals" help fuel one of the world's deadliest conflicts. An estimated 5.4 million people have died there from war-related causes, including disease and malnutrition, since 1998, according to the International Rescue Committee.

Read more @ http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/tech/gaming-gadgets/congo-blood-phones-report/index.html?hpt=wo_t5