Pressure on mobile phone makers to stop using Congolese 'blood minerals'

[Francesca9]

Source: Telegraph (UK)

Democratic Republic of Congo 'conflict minerals' are hard to trace and used in most mobile phone parts. Now, a new US law will force electrical manufacturers to trace exactly where they got their minerals from.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/7997942/Pressure-on-mobile-phone-makers-to-stop-using-Congolese-blood-minerals.html

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Probably a good idea, but is this really the top priority for Congress right now?

[panader0]

1. Yes

I wish I could connect you with previous discussions on DU about this.

[Meeker Morgan]

2. Pressuring the manufacturers isn't a bad thing, but ...

... it doesn't get to the root of the problem.

The UN needs to restore order in the Congo, not just "peace-keep".

[customerserviceguy]

3. The UN doesn't have the ability or resources

to babysit the entire globe, or even a small part of it. If the US can't do it, what makes the UN any more able to?

[applegrove]

4. This is good news.

[Kringle]

5. bad news for US companies

good news for non-US companies

[dkf]

6. I for one do not like when there are surprises in legislation.

If we do this with Democratic legislation we cannot complain if the republicans pull a fast one on us.