14 DAY TRIAL // We couldn't imagine our lives without our precious laptops and personal computers. Despite this fact, experts warn us that our beloved electronics share a terrible secret.
Their manufacturing process involves the usage of conflict minerals, a significant resource for the poor people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who would do almost anything to put food on the table.
Cheap child labor appears to be the most convenient option for digging operation developed to provide tantalum, tungsten and gold, elements we might be able to find in our own laptops, cell phones and DVD players, according to Triple Pundit.
In this current context, Praxis Mutual Funds and Everence Financial are encouraging four of the most important players on the market to join forces and come up with efficient ways of putting an end to the conflict mineral industry.
The officials expect AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon to make their line of business more sustainable while handling the emerging threat.
“The illicit trade of conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo supports armed groups and perpetuates cycles of death, rape and violence,” said the representatives in an email sent to all four important companies.
The main goal appears to be the development of an improved, more responsible market capable to launch “conflict-free” phones and devices that do not encourage modern slavery and child labor.