The Congo Tantalum Rush 230
Logic Bomb writes: "The New York Times Magazine takes a look at the mining of a muddy substance called coltan. Once refined, it becomes tantalum, the crucial ingredient in capacitors. To put it simply, the modern high-tech world depends on this stuff. And while most of us have images of squeaky-clean chip factories and such -- in marked contrast to sleazy textile sweatshops -- it turns out that this industry has a dark side that takes a major toll on human lives. Definitely worth a read."
Re:Strange but true (Score:2, Interesting)
CIA (and MI5 and whatever the fsck French call their spy shop) killed Patrice Lumumba and many other leaders in countries like Angola and Mozambique for daring to cuddle up to the Commies instead the "benevolent" colonial masters. But Soviet enthusiasm ran out in 1980's and Soviet Union itself ran out in 1990's.
Global response ain't too hot either... (Score:2, Interesting)
Human Nature (Score:3, Interesting)
And we humans are self-aware enough to realize this is happening, yet are too incompetent and self-centered to do anything about it.
It's fscking pathetic.
what dark side??? (Score:2, Interesting)
congo and it's people provide the goods that the high tech industry wants, and they get richly awarded(by their standards, anyway) for it.
To me, i see no losers in this exchange.
And don't forget the consumer, who benefit from the better technology and cheaper prices.
Everybody is happy.
Average Congolese annual income is $110 US (Score:3, Interesting)
The average annual income is $110 US and most families have to have a garden otherwise they wouldn't be able to eat. People think nothing of walking 10-20 miles a day to work and back. If you can afford a small scooter then you're considered a wealthy man. In villages, it is considered sheer luxury to have a tin roof on your mud hut. For most families any kind of vehicle other than an old bicycle is completely out of the question, and running water is something to dream about.
In such living conditions, any work (even nasty, hard work) that pays well can be a real relief when you have a dozen mouths at home (wife, kids, cousins, parents, etc). I'm not saying that its great, and I think that things could definately be improved, but its definately better than some of the other options that they have
WOW SLASHDOT IS IMPROVING (Score:5, Interesting)
Anyway as an African, I would like to say that although the article probably accurately conveyed the realities of Eastern Congo, that place is majorly F*****ED up even by African standards, because of the long running civil war and lack of ANY govermental infrastructure. Many neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and even Uganda are a lot more stable.(OK Uganda has some rebels in the Northern part of the country but it is still much much better than Eastern Congo overall. Congo is the worst case scenario.) For example in the Arusha and Shinyanga regions of Tanzania we have exactly this same kind of mining going on but at least the miners aren't terrorized by random soldiers,(Ok, so they probably have to pay a "commission" to some people... I didn't say it was perfect) the trade is somewhat regulated, and foreign companies that invest are monitored and can work peacefully.
So my basic point is that the lawlessness in Eastern Congo is a sad situation, if this tantalum had been found elsewhere it might have been very beneficial. e.g Botswana has managed to benefit greatly from its diamonds.
Also Congo was a very artificial creation of Colonial powers with many different ethnic groups that don't always get along. This makes a viable political system somewhat difficult. The same problems plague many African states, some more than others.
Here is a good website for on African current events: http://allafrica.com [allafrica.com]
Rob in Dar Es Salaam
not the only option (Score:2, Interesting)
And the point is? (Score:3, Interesting)
Strange but true (Score:5, Interesting)
My best friend is born and grew up in Zaire (now the Congo). Her mother is from Zaire and her father is an American who went over in the Peace Corps and eventually become the owner of a diamond mine. Because of her I often hear the news from that country as well as the opinions of the few Congolese who happen to live in this country.
Less than 10 years ago the Congo had roads, electricity, hospitals, schools, an infrastructure. Now there is nothing. My friend describes it as "surreal" the way the country became "not a country" so quickly. Now it's so far gone they cannot recover on their own. Without some outside force strong enough to completely dominate the region nothing will change. It is my personal opinion that most Congolese who are not warlords would actually welcome an invasion from a European power. At least there would be less chance of being murdered by some "soldier" for what pitiful possesions you still own.
Yes I have heard too many times that wearing a better pair of boots than the soldier who confronts you is a capitol offense