Introduction
Life in certain African regions is very tough due to severe social and economic problems. Some parts of the population struggle every day, trying to satisfy basic needs. One of the persistent issues is a conflict of minerals in Congo, which implies using violent ways in cobalt mining and exports. At the end of the day, cruel actions in the mineral resource industry are relevant not only to local people but to the world population as well.
Main body
I realize that I use cobalt daily and I cannot imagine my life without a phone, a laptop, and all other gadgets. However, I have to admit that I rarely think about what sacrifice it takes to produce these goods. It was shocking to find out about the amount of used labor that allows me to enjoy my life. Geneen and Maryse claim that despite the significant growth in macroeconomic figures resulting from the sales of mineral resources, the citizens of Congo do not experience any remarkable increase in well-being (p. 6). This fact is crucial to know, and it will now make my purchase decisions more thoughtful. Even though some might argue that it is “too little too late” to change the situation, in my point of view, there is still hope. Enough Team suggests that learning about supply chains, protecting mines, improving the governmental system, and providing some opportunities for workers might contribute to the change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the situation with mining for cobalt in Congo remains extremely severe. Developed countries put a lot of effort into trying to help the Congo solve these problems. There are many organizations that constantly work on finding ways to make the lives of the communities in Congo better. However, it seems like all the people across the globe should be educated about the issue and more responsible while making decisions.
Works Cited
- Enough Team. “A Comprehensive Approach to Congo’s Conflict Minerals – Strategy Paper.” The Enough Project, 2017. Web.
- Geenen, Sara, and Stefaan Marysse. “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mining Sector.” Encyclopedia of Mineral and Energy Policy (2016)