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1,222,245,200,000 is the number of circulation of cell phone in 2008. Regarding to the statistics of Worldwatch Institute indicated that the average time of use for 1 cell phone is just around 14 months before changed to new one which is very less than it should be in uses. Most of the consumers just appreciate only the design and assure they are in trend.

Is there anyone know the inside of the story? The circulations of million cell phones mean tears, bad dream and death of Congo people. This is not included murder, the death of gorilla which may be the last flock in Rwanda.

The reason why cell phone relate to the worst war in the history of Africa is Columbite-Tantalite also called Coltan which founded in the middle of Africa, of course... Congo.

Due to the attribute in heat-resistance of Coltan, when extracted into Tantalum powder, it's become the essential material component of cell phone, computer, play station etc.

For this reason Coltan is the black gold and in the meanwhile the Congo war II makes this black gold as a blood Coltan.

The stealthy mining and export the coltan is the source of money and aggravate the violence of African World War. There are 8 country and almost 20 troops find the benefit from Congo which estimated that has coltan 80% compare to quantity of coltan in the world.

Even the repression of Congo Government but it's worth to be risk because 1 pound of Tantalum means 10,000 Baht and use as electric change in cell phone and adapt to AK-47 with bullet for the troops.

Moreover the child labour used in pan for coltan. The UN reported that there are roughly 30 from 100 children have to spend all day in separated coltan from rubble for the wage only 35 Baht per 1 pound of coltan.

This has been talked in the last few year and the top brand of cell phone like Nokia, Ericsson, Motorolla, Acer, Compaq insisted that the coltan they used did not come from Congo but it was came from trusting supplier. Factly it's can not deny that the tantalam from Congo has passed through many sellers until it reached the big supplier.

Not only the caused of Africa World War, it was also impacted the wildlife as the area in finding coltan is a home of gorilla which nearly extinct. They were hunted for head and meat to eat.

Many of Zoo in Africa campaign the recycling of cell phone in order to decrease the use of coltan and slow down the extinction of gorilla but it seems as fast as enough for the demand of cosumer.

Eventhought in Africa, the number in uses of cell phone are 1000% increase which same as the number of people died from Congo war. The war ended in 2004 but the people still dead which is 45,000 per month or 540,000 per year. This number is not included a thousand of women who were sex tormented but they just still alive.

If your modernity bring to the increasing number of dead people,
Will you decide to buy one touch screen cell phone?

Credit: นายหยุมหยิม