Lithium

Just recently, I came across an article wherein the United States reported that Afghanistan have an estimated $1 trillion worth of untapped mineral deposits. The deposit is said to include important metals such as lithium, which powers most of our cellphone and laptop batteries. According to the reports, the deposit is so large that the country could be considered as the “Saudi Arabia of lithium.” However, far from being good news, this potential source of wealth for a war torn country can bring even more conflict. Fights to gain control of the mineral-rich districts may erupt between the government and local leaders.

What I found interesting in this article was the fact that it made me realize that technology can affect the lives of people even in unexpected ways. Due to the demand for metals that power most of our modern gadgets, I'm sure companies will be competing to gain access to this deposits. Sometimes, even to the extent of transacting with the Talibans, the political movement that the US is trying to overthrow. Inasmuch as this discovery can potentially make the lives of many Afghan people better by stimulating their economy. On the flipside, it could also make the conflict in the country intensify even more hence making the Afghan peoples life even worse.

And all this can be brought about by the batteries of our mobile gadgets.