ABSTRACT
Increasing demand from growing populations for natural resources and inequalities in the distribution of these natural resources can lead to environmental degradation and conflict between groups. Environmental scarcity can lead to competition between groups, control of access can be a cause of conflict and, in some instances, exploitation of natural resources occurs as a means for competing groups to finance conflicts that have arisen for “other” reasons (such as political, historical or ethnic tensions). This chapter focuses on the latter relationship between natural resources and conflict and will address the role of minerals in conflicts arising in Africa by focusing on what are known as “conflict minerals.” “Conflict minerals” are defined as minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict with the
proceeds from the mining being used to fund continued fighting (see, e.g., DeVoe 2011: 465). They are associated with human rights abuses, including beatings, torture, threats, large-scale population dislocations and mass rape – atrocities that are committed by armed groups and directed at civilians as part of an orchestrated campaign designed to gain control of mines and supply routes (Enough Project 2010; DeVoe 2011; Kelly 2010). The necessary mining activities and associated consequences also have enormous implications for the environment and all species (human and non-human) dependent upon it. The combination of these impacts and abuses of human and environmental rights is a stark example of crimes and harms that are often overlooked within criminology but are highlighted by a critical, green perspective (South and Brisman in press).
