• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2014

Conflict minerals refer to minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict, especially as in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The common conflict minerals are cassiterite, wolframite, coltan(columbite-tantalite ore), and gold, which are mined and extracted from the Eastern Congo. These minerals are essentially used in the manufacture of a variety of devices, including consumer electronics. To end the violent conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in surrounding countries, it is necessary to block the supply route of conflict minerals which has been partially financed by the exploitation and trade of conflict minerals. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, passed into law in July 2010 and it contains requirements that U.S. companies report to the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) on the origin of conflict minerals and show due diligence of OECD. The goal of the act is to cut direct and indirect funding of armed groups engaged in conflict.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1994

Environmental impact assessment methodology using geographical information systems (GIS) technologies is described. Brief characteristics of experience for evaluation of consequences of mineral fertilizers use in the Moscow region as well as authors' experience for detection of urban ecologically conflict territories (in Kirovsk and Apatity. Murmansk region, Subpolar Aretic). Possibilities of expert systems use for environmental impact assessment are demonstrated.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2011

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Kra-Araks Basin (KAB) became an international river basin with respect to the South Caucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. However, there are no agreements regarding water allocation, water quality, or ecosystem maintenance among the aforementioned riparians. The main water problems in the basin include not only water quantity and quality, but also the lack of joint management. The aforementioned countries share many similar circumstances: location in a politically unstable but strategic region bureaucratic and structural issues; and more importantly, ongoing ethnic and related conflicts. Despite these obstacles, the countries recognize that they depend greatly on the basin, whose waters they must share. To that end, they proposed and participated in the joint NATO-OSCE South Caucasus River Monitoring (SCRMP) project between 2002 and 2009.The SCRMP sought to investigate and characterize the surface water quality in the KAB by providing equipment and training to all three countries. Several years' worth of water quality data were collected in the KAB: major ions; heavy metals; POPs (persistent organic pollutants); and radionuclides; The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (primary funder) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europesupported the SCRMP not only to build capacity but also to promote cooperation and minimize conflict over water and other resources, thus providing a measure of security for Europe and other regions. The South Caucasus is a strategically-important region, functioning as a bridge between Asia and Europe. Energy-rich Azerbaijan seeks to become a key player in trade by serving as a transportation and energy hub between the energy and mineral-rich Central Asian KUT countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan) and Western Asia, Europe, and other areas. The presentation will summarize the scientific results of the SCRMP, elucidate the regional water-energy-security nexus, discuss future work in the region, and explain why the world needs to be concerned about the KAB and the entire South Caucasus.