Geopolitically-speaking, China controls more than 85% of processing capacity, although its worldwide production share decreased from as high as 97% in 2011 to about 70% in 2022. Beyond the geographical concentration of known REEs, the mining and extraction of said deposits are not without consequences. Environmental to somewhat abusive labour conditions underscore the extraction of REEs. The social consequences of mining REEs are as significant as the environmental and geopolitical issues. Child labour and abusive working conditions have been reported in several REE mining areas, including instances of human rights violations.
Closer to home, Africa is emerging as a viable new player in the REE market due to abundant deposits. REE reserves are present or being prospected from South Africa to Madagascar to Zimbabwe to Malawi. Current projects include the Songwe Hill mine in Malawi, which is expected to start production in 2025, and the Steenkampskraal Mine in South Africa,, which has one of the highest purported grades of REEs worldwide. Having said that, my hope is that the continent develops our REE industry in a sustainable and equitable manner.
The rising demand for REEs is linked to our growing need for electronic devices. The almost 50 million tonnes of e-waste generated every year is a testimony to our unsustainable consumption patterns. I have been involved in facilitating various upcycling initiatives in the e-waste sector for some time in the past, and I have seen first-hand, the massive e-waste challenges that exist in South Africa. When we upgrade our gadgets every few years or even months, we are unwittingly perpetuating a cycle of resource depletion and environmental degradation o0– “fast tech” meets “fast fashion”. Our gadgets’ unseen “e-footprint” serves as a veiled warning. It is time to recognise the true cost of our technology use – and perhaps accept accountability for our decisions.
To reduce the environmental and social costs of our technology consumption, we need to foster a more responsible approach. This includes supporting businesses that commit to ethical sourcing and sustainable supply chain management practices, demanding transparency and accountability within the REE industry, and advocating for the responsible sourcing of materials used in our devices. Additionally, extending the lifespan of our devices through repair, reuse, and responsible recycling is a small but significant step. Pause for a moment before your next upgrade – the next operating system release is almost as good as the latest phone upgrade. Finally, sustainable purchasing is about making informed decisions about the products we buy and desire.
It has been a profound trip from that peaceful balcony work-from-home morning, when my only company was the soft hum of my laptop – and, of course, my two suburban cats – to a deep-dive into the hidden world of REEs. It’s not so different from peeling the layers of an object, only to find that it is surrounded by a complex web of connections that crosses continents and involves countless people.
My laptop and smartphone, which were previously just a means to an end for work, connectivity and leisure, feel different now. These are no longer just nice pieces of hardware of a utilitarian nature – they are the outcome of the toil of miners, the difficulties that whole communities suffer from, environmental disasters, and of the earth’s burden in sustaining our technological consumption. The story of REEs reminds us that our choices have far-reaching consequences. The metaphorical “fingerprint” on my motherboard, is a hint at our journey of interconnectedness. It alludes to the human cost that is embedded in our devices, a cost which is often invisible, but tangible. It is a call to awareness, a plea for responsibility, and an invitation to re-imagine the future.
Perhaps, one day, this symbolism will evolve for the better – something different. It could be that it will represent the adoption of a commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainable practices and some semblance of a circular economy, where resources are valued and reused instead of being discarded. It could be a mark of pride, a testament to our collective effort to build a technological future that benefits all, not just a few.
In the meantime, I shall upgrade my operating system and delay the purchase of a new smartphone. The future of technology depends on our combined commitment to sustainability, accountability, and a shared purpose: creating a better digital future for all.
