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THE RESOURCE CURSE

AFRICA

ART + INFORMATION | Yesterday and Today in Africa

10-20% of cobalt mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo comes from artisanal and small-scale mining

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THE ISSUES

While many central African nations hold tremendous deposits of critical minerals, as well as gold and diamonds, most African people do not benefit from those resources.

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Human Rights

Child Labor

Environmental Degradation & Deforestation

Mine Seizures by Rebel Groups & Militias

Economic Arguments

​Recommended Reading | Way, Sarah. “Integrating artisanal mining into the formal economy would benefit African miners and economies alike”. Atlantic Council, 12 July 2024,  https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/africasource/integrating-artisanal-mining-into-the-formal-economy-would-benefit-african-miners-and-economies-alike/, Accessed 7 October 2024.

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At right | Children working a gold mine in D.R.Congo

Photo CREDIT | Steven Wassenaar

https://www.stevenwassenaar.com/index

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AN ORIGIN STORY

THE COLONIZATION of AFRICA AFTER the BERLIN CONFERENCE of 1884-1885

Beginning November 15, 1884, the leaders of the United States and fourteen European countries met to decide how they would divide up the continent and resources of Africa. "Notably missing were any representatives from Africa." (Berlin Conference)

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Belgium's King Leopold II claimed the Congo as his own. His obsession was rubber. Villages were assigned production quotas. The punishment for under performance was severe. Men, women and children had their hands, arms and feet cut off. This is how the Congolese people were introduced to western "civilization".

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Animated Map CREDIT | Shana McKay Burns/Spotted Horse Studios, LLC

Electronic Circuit

TOPICS

ARTS & CULTURE 

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Sammy Baloji

Born | 1978 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Works | Lubumbashi and Brussels, Belgium

Mediums | Photography, Sculpture

Websitehttps://axis.gallery/artists/sammybaloji/

ART

USE IT, KNOW IT

50

ARTISANAL MINERS DIED AT MWENGA in SHABUNDA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of CONGO, IN SEPTEMBER, 2020, as a RESULT of COLTAN MINING-RELATED ACTIVITIES. (Ojewale)

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4000

CIVILIANS WERE KILLED BY ARMED GROUPS IN DRC IN 2023.

8 MILLION

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED DUE TO WAR OVER RESOURCES IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

(Lusenge)

23 MILLION

PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY AND AT RISK OF FAMINE IN THE DRC. (Lusenge)

9 MILLION +

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE DRC IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS ALONE.

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Poster Design CREDIT | Baxspirit-stock.adobe.com

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