Mineral Conflicts: People sacrificed for precious commodity

Miners near the village of Kobu in northeastern Congo. The region’s resources are used to support military aims. (Reuters)

Soaring demands for goods like laptop computers and smartphones have sent shockwaves across communities whose lands are being used to extract precious minerals needed for these goods. Towns and villages have turned into war zones, where people have risen against the corporations and companies who are exploiting their lands.

The companies whose mines have attracted the most accusations of human rights abuses and environmental conflict, are some of the largest in the world, mostly listed on the London and New York Stock exchanges.

Two countries that rank highest for the exploitation of land, people, and resources are Canada and Australia. Canadian companies are involved in more than 100 human rights and environmental disputes in Latin America. Lands and rivers across Latin America are being devoured by mining activities. The economic impact has been huge, but not to the benefit of the people.


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