It's true that when a mine is mentioned the image that comes to mind resembles the quarries that are scattered around Winona. Some may think of the inequalities accomanied with mining (I only did becuase I recently watched the movie Blood Diamond); however, i doubt many associate these types of issues with their cell phone, iPod, or the windmills scattered along the highways. Violence and political issues that evolve because of these minerals should only motivate the U.S and other nations to pursue more effective and accesible ways to recycle these materials. If we can make recyling more available, there will be less harm to the environment and to countries that mine them. Much of the world's modern technology and the future of green technology depends on these minerals. You would think countries such as the United States would be interested in pursuing an idea that could help countries such as the Congo, re-use expensive materials that we import, and preserve resources that have the potential to make Earth a greener planet.