Coltan Tristan Duverglas Eduardo Preciado Hamza Khan

What is Coltan?  Columbite Tantalite also known as Coltan is one of the most coveted resources today. Nearly 80% of the worlds Coltan is located within the center of Africa in a country known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How its used in the United States!  Coltan is used to make capacitators that are put in DVDs, computers, videogames systems, and cell phones.  Capacitators are electronic components that stores electronic charges and releases them we necessary.

Recycling Coltan  Recycling and reusing mobile phones reduces the need to mine more Coltan.  We can recycle mobile phones, and not only will you be helping the environment, but also saving on mining for more Coltan

Environmental Consequences =‘(  Congo – Due to the mining in this area the land is erode and the rivers polluted.  Coltan smuggling is also a major source of income for the military in Congo.  Along with smuggling there have been issues with child labor and also “blood tantalum” which is Coltan that comes from war zones. Coltan is actually helping fuel the war in Congo.  Coltan mining also caused a drop in the Gorilla population. Miners that live miles away hunt the gorillas for food.  There are many groups who are against the civil war, the mining, and the hunting of gorillas.

Our Opinion  We think that Coltan should be used in lesser quantities and should be used more cautiously.  It is effecting people and gorilla populations and we think their old cell phones and that the mining should be reduced and we should look for Coltan elsewhere  Also people should recycle other electronics such as DVD players, computers, and old videogame systems so that we don’t need to mine for Coltan