Section 2 of 7
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Below is a map of where much of the resource extraction occurs for five of the most important raw materials that make our lithium-ion batteries. Maps can be used to present geographical data. You can toggle what data is visible to you by clicking on the resources in the key.
What trends do you notice? Are there any patterns in locations where the raw materials are mined? Do you think these materials are located in other areas around the globe? Explain your current thinking.
What do you notice about the information presented in the map below? What questions arise for you?
Data courtesy of Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019, USGS & US DOI
What do you notice about where the elements we use to make lithium-ion batteries are organized on the periodic table? What properties do you think these elements have and share? How do you think lithium might be different from the other elements?
Cobalt
Copper
Lithium
Aluminum
Carbon
At mining sites, two common ways that humans obtain materials are open-pit mining and brine extraction.
Our current mining processes present challenges including:
Did you think of others?
Which of these drawbacks matters most to you?
What do you think about these solutions? What ideas can you think of to improve upon them? Do you have ideas for other kinds of solutions?
