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

What is

the Resource Curse?

WATCH | Show Me the Money: The Economy on the Iron Range

Many legislators are looking at mining towns in Minnesota and Michigan as examples to promote new mining projects, but the economic truth may not be so rosy. Are the economic benefits really worth the environmental risk? This short has been updated with contemporary statistics.

COBALT, COPPER, LITHIUM, NICKEL

AND RARE EARTHS, PLAY A CRUCIAL

ROLE IN THE PRODUCTION OF CLEAN

ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES."

(Snoussi-Mimouni)

"CRITICAL MINERALS, SUCH AS

MAP World

RAW MATERIAL SOURCES for BATTERIES and ELECTRONICS

70%

"The battery sector is responsible for 70 per cent of the global demand for cobalt."

(Snoussi-Mimouni)

CRITICAL MINERALS and THEIR USES

Cobalt is used in electronic devices and batteries. It forms part of the circuitry and semi-conductors of computers, and cell phones, as well as components for wind and solar energy technology. Demand for rechargeable batteries and energy storage is increasing. Cobalt is an essential component in the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries. (Essential Cobalt)

NOTES | 74% of the global supply of Cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Way, Sarah)

DUE TO ITS BRITTLE NATURE, MANGANESE IS PRIMARILY USED AS AN ALLOY IN METALS SUXH AS STEEL. IT IMPROVES CORROSION RESISTANCE AND THE STRENGTH OF THE STEEL. MOST STEEL CONTAINS ABOUT 1.5% MANGANESE. "Manganese steel contains about 13% manganese. This is extremely strong and is used for railway tracks, safes, rifle barrels and prison bars." (Periodic Table) MANGANESE DIOXIDE IS USED IN DRY CELL BATTERIES.