HOW MIGHT WE ENHANCE
ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING
TO RECOVER COLTAN AND
REDUCE RELIANCE ON MINING IN
AFRICA UNDER POOR HUMAN
RIGHTS CONDITIONS?
What is coltan?
80% of World’s
Coltan comes from
Africa
With the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Rwanda as top
exporters.
Coltan = columbite-tantalite.
Metallic ore that, when refined,
produces niobium (columbium) and
tantalum.
But... what is it
used for?
The true cost of coltan: Human rights and
Environmental Impact
40,000 children work
in mines in the DRC. Mine collapses (at least one per year),
toxic exposure, long hours.
Less than minimum wage (4.2 USD): FORCED labour.
Armed groups, sexual abuse.
1300 Tons/year are produced.
How can we make a difference?
