The mineral Coltan is needed in all technology?

[KingDanz]

Coltan is a valuable mineral used in our most advanced technologies, from smart phones to fighter aircraft. When refined Coltan becomes metallic tantalum renowned for its heat resistant properties and its ability to hold an electric charge. It is used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors found in numerous high-tech electronic devices. The 21st century technology boom is largely responsible for the skyrocketing price of the mineral. Coltan is mined by hand in the Democratic Republic of Congo and while the average Congolese laborer makes just ten dollars a month, Coltan miners can make up do fifty dollars a week. Profits from the Coltan trade cause and simultaneously funds conflicts in the DRC.

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

Africa has everything it needs to run the world. There is a reason Congo is unstable. With a clear minded government and 80% of the worlds Coltan u do the simple math, they could rape tech companies for the supply.

This is part of the reason why there is a war to recolonize Africa on the low.

 

[throughthefire]

Africa has everything it needs to run the world. There is a reason Congo is unstable. With a clear minded government and 80% of the worlds Coltan u do the simple math, they could rape tech companies for the supply.

This is part of the reason why there is a war to recolonize Africa on the low.

this is true and it makes me sad..africa has soo much potential..but the lack of infrastructure,education gap and a stable government is the largest hurdle for africa

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

not to derail the thread, but why are these valuable minerals and metals not taken from old devices and recycled right off the bat?

how many old cell phones, laptops, pc's get trashed into landfills every day?
these devices have valuable materials in them that are finite...and we just trash it?


how is this possible?

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

 

[88m3]

not to derail the thread, but why are these valuable minerals and metals not taken from old devices and recycled right off the bat?

how many old cell phones, laptops, pc's get trashed into landfills every day?
these devices have valuable materials in them that are finite...and we just trash it?


how is this possible?

The last few years I've seen a trend in "recycling" them, you're absolutely right.

 

[thekingsmen]

not to derail the thread, but why are these valuable minerals and metals not taken from old devices and recycled right off the bat?

how many old cell phones, laptops, pc's get trashed into landfills every day?
these devices have valuable materials in them that are finite...and we just trash it?


how is this possible?

It's used in other parts of the world that aren't up to date on the tech-world.

 

[88m3]

Didn't realize there was a video for this anyways