cell phones... include coltan, a mineral extr...
cell phones... include coltan, a mineral extracted in the deep forests of congo in central africa, home to the worlds endangered lowland gorillas. fueled by the worldwide cell phone boom, congos out - of - control coltan mining business has in recent years led to a dramatic reduction of animal habitat and the rampant slaughter of great apes for the illegal bush - meat trade. \most people dont know that theres a connection between this metal in their cell phones and the well - being of wildlife in the area where its mined,\ said karen killmar, the associate curator of mammals at the san diego zoo. \recycling old cell phones is a way for people to do something very simple that could reduce the need for additional coltan... and help protect the gorillas,\ she said. to help solve this problem, the expert in this passage suggests that consumers recycle their old cell phones. stop purchasing cell phones. refuse to buy cell phones made with coltan. avoid using cell phones made in the congo.