A World of Minerals in Your Mobile Device

Abstract

3 Li lithium 6.94 33 As arsenic 74.92 31 Ga gallium 69.72 78 Pt platinum 195.08 49 In indium 114.81 14 Si silicon 28.08 74 W tungsten 183.84 73 Ta tantalum 180.94 19 K potassium 39.09 50 Sn tin 118.71 47 Ag silver 107.86 32 Ge germanium 72.63 29 Cu copper 63.54 20 C carbon 40.07 A World of Minerals in Your Mobile Device Mobile phones and other high-technology communications devices could not exist without mineral commodities. More than one-half of all components in a mobile device—including its electronics, display, battery, speakers, and more—are made from mined and semi-processed materials (mineral commodities). Some mineral commodities can be recovered as byproducts during the production and processing of other commodities. As an example, bauxite is mined for its aluminum content, but gallium is recovered during the aluminum production process. The images below show the ore minerals (sources) of some mineral commodities that are used to make components of a mobile device. On the reverse side, the map and table depict the major source countries producing some of these mineral commodities along with how these commodities are used in mobile devices. For more information on minerals, visit http://minerals.usgs.gov.