Future materials, such as those created with nanotechnology, may help wean companies off rare earth minerals, according to this article. The global demand for such materials is surging – especially for tablet computers like Apple’s iPad – and many such materials come from countries in “conflict”. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one such region, with much of the fighting funded by the extraction of these conflict minerals. Some companies, such as Apple and Intel, have stopped purchasing minerals from this region, due to pressure from activists and consumers, but also due to legislation passed by the U.S. Congress that prevents the purchase of conflict minerals, effective this month. As Apple and Intel scramble to replace these minerals in their supply chain, the backlash against the mining of conflict minerals may help spark further innovation of electronics. Other companies may also look to replace these materials, as the increasing cost of such minerals, and their concentration in only a few regions of the world, creates the need to do so. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/04/apple-intel-cease-conflict-minerals/