Did you know that in June 2016, Global Witness, a non-governmental organization based in London and Washington D.C., proposed adding Afghan lapis lazuli to the list of "blood" minerals? " 'Blood, or conflict' minerals, are those that are mined illegally in a manner that perpetuates conflict, poverty, corruption, and/or human rights abuse. The list currently includes the 'blood diamonds", cassiterite (tin oxide), wolframite (a series of iron and manganese tungstates), "coltan" (the columbite-tantalite minerals that yield tantalum), and gold that are mined in certain African nations." Rock Science by Steve Voynick, Rock & Gem Vol. 46 Issue 10, October 2016The reason this was proposed goes back to 2013, when Afghanistan's central government announced that controlled mining of lapis lazuli would become part of a the new economic development program. Lapis lazuli, known a "blue treasure" in Afghanistan has been mined for almost 6000 years, much of it from the Sar-e-Sang mines producing the world's finest lapis. In 2013, the government awarded a long-term mining contract to a legitimate independent Afghan owned mining company, but an armed militia took the mines over. The militia has been forced to pay half of its profits from the lapis mining to the Taliban, more than $6 million per year. If Afghan lapis is declared a blood mineral international trade restrictions would be imposed. I have a some lapis lazuli in my stash of beads that I will be using until I run out but I will not be buying anymore any time soon.
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Your Custom Text Here