Breathtakingly beautiful mountains. Behind this “Picture Perfect” hides a dark story that most of us don’t even know . Children are dying in these hills from working in inhumanly conditions, not only that. There is more...
Welcome to the land of coltan, the mineral that is found in our cell phones, laptops, game consoles and electric cars- The Republic Democratic of Congo (short DRC, central Africa).
Nyiragongo volcano erupted
#breakingnews Yesterday the Nyiragongo volcano erupted near the megacity of Goma. Thousands of people are fleeing, the government put an evacuation plan into effect.
The eruption had caused panic among many residents of the African city. Some of them fled in the direction of Rwanda. The authorities there have since opened the border and allowed the people to pass.
Initially, some of the lava flowed toward the city center, similar to the situation in 2002, when the lava destroyed the eastern part of the large city; 250 people died and about 120,000 were left homeless. This time, the consequences of the eruption could be less severe, at least for Goma: According to a reporter on site, the lava flow has now stopped just outside the city.
The Benefits Of Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic Eruptions have bad and good consequences. It is disastrous for those living near that, but on the other hand beneficial for the nature. Volcanic materials ultimately break down and weather to form some of the most fertile soils on Earth, cultivation of which has produced abundant food and fostered civilizations. The thermal heat associated with young volcanic systems has been harnessed to produce geothermal energy. Most of the metallic minerals mined in the world such as copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc are associated with magmas found deep within the roots of extinct volcanoes.
The immense wealth of the subsoil of this remote province attracts all kinds of covetousness . There is an economic war in Kivu (situated in Goma) based on the plundering of mineral resources, including coltan used in our cell phones, but also diamonds, gold and tin. Cobalt is
distributed throughout the metamorphosed volcanic or magmatic rocks.
Why should I care about eastern Congo, Goma?
Simply because you are using the “Black Gold” indirectly right now.
”Black Gold”?!
The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot rest because of that black gold.
One reason is the ore coltan(=black gold nearly 80% of world’s largest coltan supply) , which is mined there. Thousands mine for the "black gold" which is found in every cell phone and used to finance the civil war there, making coltan a conflict mineral.
Maybe the country sounds familiar to you. It hosted the most historical boxing fight in the world- Rumble in the Jungle (Ali vs Foreman).
With that being said , what do you think: ”vibranium” , a blessing and a curse ? (Black Panther reference)
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