The worsening economic crisis has led to a fall in global demand for commodities.
The price of copper, tin and even diamonds is plunging, meaning regions rich in minerals, such as Africa, are earning far less than they used to.
Some goods have lost 70 per cent of their value, and it is costing hundreds of thousands jobs in some of the poorest countries of the world.
Nicole Johnston reports.
Interview with Newton Kanhema of the Zimbabwe Independence Assistance Network talks about Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's U.S. visit.