MANILA, Philippines – Intel announced on January 6 (January 7, Philippine time), that it would continue creating processors without the use of minerals mined from war-torn areas.

At its keynote presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich explained the phenomenon of mining for conflict minerals.

Conflict minerals are so named because they are mined under conditions of war, violence, or human rights abuses.

Currently, there are 4 types of conflict minerals: gold, columbite-tantalite, cassiterite, and wolframite. Elements extracted from these minerals – tungsten, tantalum, and tin, as well as gold itself – are used in the creation of electronics and other items.

The Verge reports the company took special note of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where millions of lives are lost through the mining of precious gems and minerals that fund an unending war effort.

In a roundup on Barrons, Krzanich is quoted as saying, “The minerals are important, but not as important as the lives of the people who work to get them.”

Krzanich then announced that all Intel processors made in 2014 will be “conflict-free,” inviting other companies to support the initiative. – Rappler.com