Coltan Mining Crisis and Traditional Glass Production Methods

Coltan: Conflict Mineral Impacts and Global Exploitation

Social Consequences of Coltan Mining

The pursuit of coltan allows for the gain of control and access to cheap labor. Children are frequently used for extraction and often die due to exposure to radioactivity, poisoning, and landslides. Workers suffer from severe health issues, including diseases such as cholera, due to contaminated water and unsanitary conditions.

Key social issues include:

• Widespread child exploitation, significantly increasing child mortality rates.
• Increased marginalization and poverty.
• Rising rates of prostitution and AIDS.

Economic Exploitation and Pricing

Developed countries take advantage of the situation in poor countries because coltan extraction is highly profitable. Workers receive a pittance salary, often paid only 5% of the material's selling price. Debt is sometimes canceled in exchange for monetary funds and international marketing access.

The money generated rarely benefits the local community. Workers earn approximately $10 a week, whereas a typical worker in a developed country might earn $10 a day. Coltan costs approximately $400 per kilo.

Geopolitical Conflict and Financing

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shares borders with neighbors including Rwanda and Burundi. Companies provide money to the government, which finances conflict. This benefit is used to fund war, creating armies and enriching presidents through the trade of diamonds and coltan.

Developed countries often avoid intervening in these border conflicts, ensuring that those currently in power maintain control over the mines.

Traditional Glass Manufacturing Techniques

The Blown Glass Process

Glass blowers are organized into several teams, often referred to as "squares." Each team works at a different crucible.

The Crucible

The crucible is a container made of refractory material, located inside the furnace, whose function is to contain the molten glass at high temperatures.

Each team is formed by 5 to 7 workers led by the master craftsman (the "teacher") who bears the responsibility for the final product. The initial operation for obtaining a hollow piece of glass is to gather a certain amount of molten glass onto the end of the blowing rod (the pontil). This glass is distributed uniformly around the cane by rotating it. Immediately, the craftsman blows into the rod to create a blister (bubble).

Annealing: Stress Reduction in Glass

Once the glass has acquired its final shape, it must transition from a plastic state to a rigid state. This process must occur sufficiently slowly so that the internal structure acquires the same specific volume and characteristics throughout the piece.

While the glass is in its plastic and viscous state, it can be cooled as quickly as desired. However, from the softening point temperature downwards, the cooling must proceed very slowly.

For annealing, the glass pieces are introduced into distinct chambers, often called lehrs or annealing ovens. These ovens generate less intense heat, maintaining a temperature below the softening point. Within these chambers, the glass is subjected to a controlled cooling regime that lasts more or less time depending on the type of glass being processed.