ART + INFORMATION | The Global Impact of Resource Extraction on People and the Planet

COBALT, COPPER, LITHIUM, NICKEL

AND RARE EARTHS, PLAY A CRUCIAL

ROLE IN THE PRODUCTION OF CLEAN

ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES."

(Snoussi-Mimouni)

"CRITICAL MINERALS, SUCH AS

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RAW MATERIAL SOURCES for BATTERIES and ELECTRONICS

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CRITICAL MINERALS and THEIR USES

COLTAN IS THE COMMON NAME FOR COLUMBITE-TANTALITE. THE MINERAL IS REFINED INTO TANTALUM POWDER, WHICH IS USED TO MAKE HEAT-RESISTANT CAPACITORS FOR LAPTOPS, CELLPHONES and OTHER ELECTRONIC.

IN 2021, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of CONGO PRODUCED 700 TONNES of COLTAN, MAKING THEM THE WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER.

COLTAN

COBALT IS USED IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND BATTERIES. IT FORMS PART OF THE CIRCUITRY AND SEMI-CONDUCTORS COMPUTERS AND CELL PHONES. DEMAND FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND ENERGY STORAGE IS INCREASING. COBALT IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN THE CATHODES OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES. (Essential Cobalt)

COBALT

NICKEL IS CORROSION AND OXIDATION RESISTANT, AND IS 100% RECYCLABLE. IT IS OFTEN COMBINED WITH OTHER METALS TO CREATE ALLOYS THAT MAINTAIN THEIR STRENGTH AND CORROSION RESISTANCE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES. NICKEL HAS BEEN USED IN STAINLESS STEEL FOR DECADES. IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT IN THE PRODUCTION OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.