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Policy Analysis

Resource Wars and Information and Communication Technologies

By Tony Vetter on April 24, 2008
IISD's Tony Vetter was investigating the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on sustainable development when he stumbled upon a troubling connection. The last time the price of the mineral tantalum (a key ingredient in compact electronics) spiked, it helped to fuel one of Africa's bloodiest-ever wars. As the demand for mobile phones rises dramatically, so again does the price of tantalum. Will the fragile Congolese democracy be tested?