KEY INGREDIENT: KEY INGREDIENT: Cobalt nuggets
Cobalt nuggets
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metal ( right )
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Cobalt is used in many products, including jet engines, paint, and magnets. But its fastest- growing application is lithium-ion batteries . These rechargeable batteries power cell phones, laptops, and even electric vehicles. Inside a lithium-ion battery are compounds containing lithium and cobalt, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ). They are the source of lithium ions . These positively-charged atoms move through a salt solution, producing the electrical current that powers devices ( see How a Lithium-Ion Battery Works ). Batteries made with lithium-cobalt compounds are a Lithium-Ion Battery Works ). Batteries made with lithium-cobalt compounds are relatively lightweight but still powerful. That’s why they’re so popular in mobile devices and electric vehicles. Today about 110,000 tons of cobalt are mined every year. Roughly half of that goes to batteries. Demand for the metal is expected to increase dramatically, says analyst Caspar Rawles, who studies the global cobalt trade. He predicts that the amount of cobalt needed for battery manufacturing will likely double by 2025 ( see Booming Cobalt Demand, p. 17 ). mined every year. Roughly half of that goes to batteries. Demand for the metal is expected to increase dramatically, says analyst Caspar Rawles, who studies the global cobalt trade. He predicts that the amount of cobalt needed for battery manufacturing will likely double by 2025 ( see Booming Cobalt Demand, p. 17 ). GOING TO THE SOURCE The DRC produces 60 percent of the world’s cobalt. The mining process is hazardous, and sometimes deadly. Many mines have been dug by hand using shovels, hammers, and chisels. Without proper supports, these mines are at risk of collapsing. Miners descend hundreds of feet without safety equipment such as helmets, Continued on the next page Continued on the next page Cobalt is used in many products, including jet engines, paint, and magnets. But its fastest- growing application is lithium-ion batteries . These rechargeable batteries power cell phones, laptops, and even electric vehicles. Inside a lithium-ion battery are compounds containing lithium and cobalt, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ). They are the source of lithium ions . These positively-charged atoms move through a salt solution, producing the electrical current that powers devices ( see How relatively lightweight but still powerful. That’s why they’re so popular in mobile devices and electric vehicles. Today about 110,000 tons of cobalt are GOING TO THE SOURCE The DRC produces 60 percent of the world’s cobalt. The mining process is hazardous, and sometimes deadly. Many mines have been dug by hand using shovels, hammers, and chisels. Without proper supports, these mines are at risk of collapsing. Miners descend hundreds of feet without safety equipment such as helmets,
E very day, millions of people casually turn on a smartphone or laptop. The screens light up almost instantly, allowing people to study, work, or connect with friends anywhere at any time. But many people don’t realize that this familiar act is made possible thanks to miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC, as it is also called, is a country in Central Africa ( see map ). The miners work in dangerous conditions to collect cobalt (Co), an essential ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power electronic devices. Cobalt is a toxic material that can cause serious health problems. Miners—some as young as 7—gather it wearing no protective gear. The work is also problematic for people living near mining operations. Pollution from cobalt production contaminates residents’ homes and food supplies. And experts say that the problems surrounding cobalt mining may worsen as consumer demand for electronics continues to grow. POWERHOUSE ELEMENT Cobalt is a silvery-gray metal. Pure cobalt isn’t found in nature because it reacts easily with other elements to form compounds. A compound is made of two or more chemically combined elements. Compounds containing cobalt are found in rocks and minerals. Workers mine and extract cobalt from these sources. POWERHOUSE ELEMENT Cobalt is a silvery-gray metal. Pure cobalt isn’t found in nature because it reacts easily with other elements to form compounds. A compound is made of two or more chemically combined elements. Compounds containing cobalt are found in rocks and minerals. Workers mine and extract cobalt from these sources. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Where do the materials used ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Where do the materials used to make electronic devices come from? very day, millions of people casually turn on a smartphone or laptop. The screens light up almost instantly, allowing people to study, work, or connect with friends anywhere at any time. But many people don’t realize that this familiar act is made possible thanks to miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC, as it is also called, is a country in Central Africa ( see map ). The miners work in dangerous conditions to collect cobalt (Co), an essential ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power electronic devices. Cobalt is a toxic material that can cause serious health problems. Miners—some as young as 7—gather it wearing no protective gear. The work is also problematic for people living near mining operations. Pollution from cobalt production contaminates residents’ homes and food supplies. And experts say that the problems surrounding cobalt mining may worsen as consumer demand for electronics continues to grow. to make electronic devices come from?
HOW MUCH COBALT? HOW MUCH COBALT?
SMARTPHONE SMARTPHONE 0.3 ounces
0.3 ounces
(the weight of
(the weight of
3 pennies)
3 pennies)
LAPTOP LAPTOP 1 oz
1 oz
(the weight of a
(the weight of a
slice of bread)
slice of bread)
ELECTRIC CAR ELECTRIC CAR 15 pounds
15 pounds
(the weight
(the weight
of about
of about
2 gallons
2 gallons
of milk)
of milk)
SOURCE: THE
WASHINGTON POST
SOURCE: THE
WASHINGTON POST
Sessions 7 & 8 23
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