By The Overlooked Influence of Africa’s Minerals on Mobile Phones
It is well-known that minerals are vital for manufacturing electronic devices, particularly mobile phones, which consist of more than half mined materials. An April 2023 report from the World Economic Forum noted that there are now 8.6 billion mobile phones globally—outnumbering the world population of 8 billion.
Africa is a key player in this sector, contributing 30% of the world’s mineral output. The continent’s abundant mineral resources are essential for the electronics industry, and their absence would lead to significant sustainability issues.
However, this mineral wealth comes with challenges. Numerous African nations rich in resources have experienced conflicts as global powers extract these minerals, leaving local communities in poverty. Major mobile phone manufacturers, including China, India, the United States, South Korea, and Vietnam, depend heavily on these essential minerals.
Essential Minerals for Mobile Phone and Countries They Can Be Found
1. Copper: Crucial for wiring, copper is the most widely utilized mineral in mobile phones. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia are significant producers, with the DRC alone providing 10% of global copper output. Other notable sources include Morocco and South Africa.
2. Lithium: Important for battery production, lithium is a key component of mobile technology. Zimbabwe ranks seventh in lithium output, with the DRC, South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Namibia also having substantial reserves.
3. Cobalt: Essential for rechargeable batteries, cobalt improves battery performance and safety. The DRC leads global production, accounting for 73% of the total in 2023, while other African countries contribute only about 5%.
4. Tungsten: This mineral, used in components that make phones vibrate, is mainly sourced from the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi.
5. Tin: Vital for soldering electronic components, tin production is primarily centered in the DRC, with Uganda, Burundi, and Nigeria also playing roles.
6. Tantalum: Necessary for capacitors in electronics, the DRC and Rwanda together produce 67% of the world’s tantalum.
7. Manganese: Important in battery production, Africa supplies 68% of the world’s manganese, with significant contributions from South Africa, Gabon, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Issues and Implications
Despite its vast mineral resources, Africa faces serious problems, including illegal mining, mineral smuggling, and the financing of conflicts, complicating the extraction and distribution of these crucial materials. In the DRC, where Chinese companies dominate the industrial mining sector, these practices have profound impacts on local communities.
In conclusion, while Africa’s mineral resources are vital to the global electronics industry, they also reveal a complex interplay of economic and social issues that must be addressed to achieve a more just and sustainable future.
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