How do elements find their way into mobile phones?

Elements are found in the Earths crust. They are used to make smartphone and many things around us. Some of them are available in abundance while some only exist in very small amounts. All elements are dug out from the earth in a process known as mining. Miners work long hours to extract elements. This task is both dangerous and difficult and is done by men, women and even children.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa has more cobalt than anywhere else in the world. Roughly about 20 million Congolese work in the mining industry there and news of unfair treatment and child abuse are often reported.

Thankfully, there are mobile phone producers like the Fairphone, who do the best they can to make sure that all those who are involved in the making of mobile phones are treated fairly.