Tag

Cobalt

All articles tagged with #cobalt

world18 days ago•7 min saved

US backs Congo cobalt-copper mines to counter China's rare-earth edge

The U.S. backs Virtus Minerals to develop Chemaf’s Étoile and Mutoshi cobalt and copper mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the first U.S.-owned operator there in over a decade—aiming for about 75,000 tonnes of copper and 20,000 tonnes of cobalt a year, exported via the Lobito Corridor to Angola with a $5 billion rail investment; officials call it a flagship investment to diversify critical mineral supply chains and counter China’s dominance in Africa.

via Fox News|

#cobalt #copper #drc

environment2 months ago•4 min saved

Green-tech’s hidden cost: critical minerals drain water and livelihoods in the Global South

A UNU-INWEH report warns that surging demand for lithium, cobalt and nickel—the core of batteries and chips—drains water, contaminates rivers, hurts agriculture, and harms health in poor mining regions from the DRC to Chile and Bolivia. About 456 billion litres of water were used to extract 240,000 tonnes of lithium in 2024, while cobalt and nickel pose additional risks; 700 million tonnes of waste were generated by global rare-earth production. Although greener energy reduces emissions for consumers in the Global North, the costs fall on communities far away, prompting protests and calls for mandatory international due diligence, tighter pollution controls, and independent water monitoring as the green transition expands. Without reform, developing countries risk bearing the burden of a transition that wealthier nations benefit from.

via The Guardian|

#cobalt #critical-minerals #environment

world2 years ago•3 min saved

"U.S. Facilitates Extended Ceasefire in Congo Amid Global Cobalt Competition"

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds a crucial election as world powers vie for access to its vast cobalt reserves, which are essential for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, electric cars, and other electronic devices. The DRC supplies around 70% of the world's cobalt, and with demand and prices rising, major tech companies are seeking control over the mineral. The U.S. government, concerned about China's dominance in the DRC's mineral wealth, has helped negotiate a cease-fire and is closely monitoring the election results, as they could impact economic and trade relations. The U.S. Congress is considering bills aimed at securing access to DRC's cobalt for U.S. security interests.

via CBS News|

#cease-fire #china #cobalt

business2 years ago•3 min saved

Navigating the Economic Challenges of Sourcing Rare Minerals for EV Batteries

The closure of America's only cobalt mine just months after its grand opening highlights the challenges of securing hard-to-find minerals for electric vehicle batteries. Cobalt is a crucial ingredient in these batteries, but most of the supply comes from mines owned or controlled by China or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The collapse in cobalt prices, coupled with a decline in global demand for electric vehicles, led to the closure of the mine. The mining industry faces significant financial risks, with high upfront costs and volatile metal prices. However, the mine's owner remains hopeful that cobalt prices will rebound, and efforts are being made to secure funding and maintain forward momentum.

via NPR|

#business #cobalt #economic-impact

business2 years ago•7 min saved

"America's Cobalt Mine: A Promising Start to Green Energy Revolution"

America's only operating cobalt mine, located in Idaho, was forced to close just weeks before its scheduled opening due to a significant drop in the price of cobalt. Cobalt, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries used in phones and electric cars, has seen a surge in demand as countries invest in electric vehicles. However, the mining industry is challenging, with high costs and volatile metal prices. The closure highlights the difficulty of establishing a domestic cobalt supply chain, as most cobalt used in the US is sourced from China or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the setback, the mine's owner remains optimistic and is seeking investments to reopen the mine once cobalt prices recover.

via NPR|

#business #cobalt #electric-vehicles

business2 years ago•2 min saved

"Tesla's Potential EV Factory in Saudi Arabia Sparks Controversy as Cobalt Sourcing Comes into Question"

Tesla and Saudi Arabia are reportedly in early talks about building an electric vehicle factory in Saudi Arabia, with the latter offering cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as an incentive. Saudi Arabia has been trying to secure assets in the DRC, which supplies around 70% of the world's cobalt. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has denied the report, calling it "utterly false."

via Electrek.co|

#business #cobalt #drc

human-rights2 years ago•1 min saved

"Exploitative Mining Practices in DRC Fuel Human Rights Violations, Reveals Report"

The expansion of industrial-scale mines extracting cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for rechargeable batteries has resulted in forced evictions and human rights abuses, including sexual assault, according to a report by Amnesty International and the DRC-based organization IBGDH. The report highlights how multinational mining operations have displaced communities and caused harm. The DRC has the world's largest cobalt reserves and the seventh largest copper reserves, with demand for cobalt expected to triple by 2025.

via Al Jazeera English|

#cobalt #copper #democratic-republic-of-the-congo

technology3 years ago•2 min saved

Apple's Commitment to Sustainable Materials and Recycling by 2025.

Apple plans to use 100% recycled cobalt in its batteries, entirely recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and entirely recycled tin soldering and gold plating in circuit boards by 2025. The tech industry has been under scrutiny for its use of mined materials, particularly cobalt, which has been linked to human rights violations. Apple has faced allegations of using cobalt mined by children in its products. The company has been working to increase its use of recycled materials and has recovered 11,000 kg of cobalt through its iPhone-recycling robot, Daisy. While recycling can help reduce e-waste, making devices easier to repair and keeping them for longer is also crucial.

via The Verge|

#apple #cobalt #e-waste

technology3 years ago•6 min saved

Apple Commits to 100% Recycled Cobalt in Batteries by 2025.

Apple plans to use 100% recycled cobalt in its batteries by 2025 as part of its effort to go carbon neutral by 2030. The move comes after criticism of Apple's mining practices, which have been accused of fueling slavery and using child labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt is a key component in all of Apple's products, and more than 70% of the world's cobalt is mined in the DRC. Apple has significantly expanded the use of certified recycled cobalt over the past three years, making it possible to include in all Apple-designed batteries by 2025.

via Daily Mail|

#apple #child-labor #cobalt

technology3 years ago•1 min saved

Apple commits to 100% recycled cobalt batteries by 2025.

Apple has pledged to use 100% recycled cobalt in all its batteries by 2025, along with completely recycled rare earth elements in its magnets and fully recycled gold plating and tin soldering in its circuit board designs. The company hopes to make all its products exclusively with recycled and renewable materials and be carbon neutral by 2030. The move could reduce the demand for additional cobalt and associated mining, which has significant environmental and social problems.

via Engadget|

#apple #batteries #cobalt

technology3 years ago•2 min saved

Apple pledges to use 100% recycled cobalt in batteries by 2025.

Apple has announced that by 2025, all batteries it designs will use entirely recycled cobalt, all magnets in its devices will use only recycled rare earth elements, and all circuit boards will have 100% recycled tin soldering and gold plating. The company's new commitment to accelerating its use of recycled materials is part of its overall aim to be entirely carbon neutral by 2030. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, said the company will keep pressing forward in the belief that great technology should be great for users and the environment.

via AppleInsider|

#apple #cobalt #rare-earth-elements

technology3 years ago•11 min saved

Apple's Sustainable Push: 100% Recycled Cobalt and $200M Investment in Carbon Removal Fund.

Apple has announced a new target to use 100% recycled cobalt in all its designed batteries by 2025, as well as 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets and 100% recycled tin soldering and gold plating in all its designed printed circuit boards. The company has already expanded its use of recycled metals, sourcing over two-thirds of all aluminum, nearly three-quarters of all rare earths, and more than 95% of all tungsten in its products from 100% recycled material. This progress brings Apple closer to its goal of making all products with only recycled and renewable materials and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

via Apple|

#apple #cobalt #rare-earth-elements

environment3 years ago•1 min saved

UN Begins Accepting Deep-Sea Mining Applications in July

The International Seabed Authority will begin accepting applications from companies for deep-sea mining in July, allowing them to extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese from the ocean's floor. The decision has been met with opposition from environmental groups, who are concerned about the impact on wildlife and the lack of scientific data. China is a leader in deep-sea mining exploration, but other nations have called for a global moratorium on the practice.

via Reuters|

#battery-materials #cobalt #deep-sea-mining