coltan

China Maps Out Venezuela’s Valuable Mining Resources

By Humberto Márquez
An agreement signed by the government of Venezuela and the Chinese state-owned company Citic Group for prospecting and mapping the country's mining reserves is being challenged by both the opposition and experts who argue that it will leave valuable natural resources dangerously exposed.
Mobile phones ready for recycling. Credit: Courtesy of Entreculturas

“Two Children May Have Died for You to Have Your Mobile Phone”

By Inés Benítez
"It’s possible that two children died so that you could have that mobile phone,” says Jean-Bertin, a 34-year-old Congolese activist who wants to end the “absolute silence” around the crimes committed in his country to exploit strategic raw materials like coltan.


sound of the heart genevieve graham