Welcome!

Virtually all modern technology is highly dependent on a handful of strategic minerals.  Without these minerals, computers, LCD screens, fiber optic cables, cellular phones and similar innovations simply will not work.  More importantly, many of these minerals are located in hard to reach areas of the world or in conflict zones.  Many are mined using forced labor or slaves. US national security, business and law enforcement leaders need better open source intelligence on these issues to help inform their decisions.  This is the purpose of this blog.