Ponderous Flow

Introduction The term "ethical mining" has become a buzzword in the tech industry, particularly among smartphone manufacturers promising sustainable practices. Brands like Apple, Samsung, and Fairphone market their devices as "conflict-free" or "eco-friendly," but how much of this rhetoric aligns with reality? This [...] Read more

The Growing Demand for Cobalt and Lithium Smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy storage rely heavily on lithium-ion batteries. At the heart of these batteries lie two critical minerals: cobalt and lithium. Global cobalt demand is projected to increase by 60% by 2025, driven largely by the tech and [...] Read more

Understanding Conflict Minerals What Makes a Mineral 'Conflict'? Definition under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act The four key minerals: tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG) Connection to armed groups in DRC and neighboring regions The Human Cost UNICEF reports on child labor in mines Environmental degradation in mining [...] Read more