Sir, - One of the most striking technological developments of recent times has been the rapid expansion of battery-powered green technologies.
Often understated, however, is the very real dangers of operations to access these minerals.
In late January, more than 200 workers died as a result of unsafe mining conditions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (“At least 200 people killed in landslide at coltan mining site in DR Congo,” January 31st).
While these operations undoubtedly bring economic benefits to some impoverished areas, there is an incongruity between the lauded efforts of the green transition and the sometimes-tragic impact of operations required to power this change.
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If the green transition is to be ethical, it cannot continue to rely on outsourcing the human cost to some of the poorest regions of the world. - Yours, etc,
KILLIAN O’COLMAIN,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
