U4L9 Metals and Minerals in Smart Devices II

Question 1

Where does the majority of combat come from?

Answer 1

Democratic Republic of Congo

Question 2

How is combat used in phones?

Answer 2

In lithium-ion batteries

Question 3

Why is cobalt mining dangerous?

Answer 3

Cobalt is usually found in Congo, which is a poor country. They also indulge in child labor, because when there parents lose their job kids would volunteer to work in these cobalt mines. In cobalt mines you are sent down for 24 hours looking for cobalt. This isn’t only dangerous because the mine could collapse, but breathing it in is also bad. Also, living near a cobalt mine could contaminate food and make other people sick. Even if your in charge of cleaning cobalt you can still get sick.

Question 4

What is the definition of conflict minerals?

Answer 4

Minerals mined in areas of violent conflict and sold to fund the activities of violent groups.

Question 5

What are the 3TG minerals?

Answer 5

Tungsten
Tantalum
Tin
Gold

Question 6

What do conflict mines do?

Answer 6

Countries in conflict, tax the use of mines and sell the minerals allowing them to buy weapons for armed groups.

Question 7

Who owns these mines?

Answer 7

Armed militias

Question 8

What is an example of a country the used conflict mines?

Answer 8

Democratic Republic of Congo

Question 9

What are the conflict minerals helpful to conflict mining?

Answer 9

Laws now require companies to disclose the source of any conflict minerals in their products. However, as minerals are often mixed together, it can be difficult to know the true source.

Question 10

What is the definition of artisanal mining, also know is small scale mining?

Answer 10

Resource extraction by individuals not working at regulated mine sites

Question 11

Why is artisanal mining hazardous?

Answer 11

Miners often use mercury to extract gold from rock, creating a mix of gold and mercury. Smelters burn this mixture, leaving only the gold and releasing mercury fumes into the air.

Question 12

Why health causes an mercury lead to?

Answer 12

Brain and kidney damage

Question 13

Why can mercury and water cause a big problem?

Answer 13

When mercury pollutes water and land resources, the entire population of the area is at risk.

Question 14

How much e-waste is produced each year?

Answer 14

41 million tons

Question 15

How can recycling e-waste be useful?

Answer 15

Many minerals used in smart devices can be recovered if the devices are properly recycled.

Question 16

What is the definition of e-waste?

Answer 16

Electronics that have been discarded or near the end of their useful life

Question 17

How can safe electronic recycling help to reduce some of the human costs of resource extraction?

Answer 17

Many minerals can be recovered in the recycling process, which reduces the amount of mining that is needed. Less mining means fewer health risks and fewer human rights abuses.

Question 18

What challenges still exist in establishing responsible recycling programs?

Answer 18

E-waste is often exported to poorer countries where devices may be smashed or burned to extract the minerals. Workers who process e-waste in this way are exposed to dangerous chemicals. Also, devices are often designed to be difficult to disassemble, which makes recycling more difficult.