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Mineral Economy
Mineral economy is the study of how minerals affect a country. Valuable minerals that are found in certain area can cause a drastic change to the area or county. These minerals can bring money to third world countries, and can possibly help develop cities, road, hospitals and many other services.

History
The first traces of mineral economic can be traced back to the writings of David Ricardo. Later after World War II, mineral economics was considered an academic field primarily in the United States. Soon after mineral economics began to grow along with our technology advances, meaning the more technology we create the more need for minerals and metals increase in order to keep creating technology devices.

Conflict Minerals
Minerals such, as valuable metals, can be sold to companies that make phones, computers, and even jewelry. Children, the poor, and even slaves, sometimes mine these minerals for little to no money. This is a term known as conflict minerals. Common continents that have issues with conflict minerals are Asia and Africa. These conflict minerals end up technology devices that we use in our everyday lives.

Conflict Minerals in China and Congo
Minerals and metals play a major role in developing China's economy. Coal is China's most abundant mineral resource. Although deposits are widely scattered, most of the coal is located in the northern part of the country. In addition to coal (as of 2010), the country led the world in the production of other minerals such as bismuth, cement, gold, graphite, magnesium, mercury, molybdenum, phosphate rock, rare earths, salt, and talc. Congo is very rich in 3TG minerals, which are used to make electronic devices, that the profits made from these minerals are used to pay a war. These materials include gold, tin, tungsten, and tantalum.

Universities That Teach Mineral Economics
Institutions in the United States that offer programs for the study of mineral economics include; McGill University, British Columbia University, University of Colorado, Columbia University, University of Arizona, West Virginia University.