Niobium is a rare earth material found in mainly Brazil, Canada and Australia. It is used as a superconductor for Quantum computers and other nanotech devices. Quantum computers are super computers that could process multiple problems at once instead of a single problem at a time like classical computers.

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In order to make such computers, companies from around the world must work together in the most efficient manner. Starting from the raw resources that are being mined (This is known as primary production). Then it will later be processed and manufactured into chips and parts that will be used in the construction of the final product (This is processing process is known as the secondary production). The final part will be using these secondary production parts to be constructed into the final product, for example assembling the parts into the Quantum Computer (This is known as tertiary production).

 

Here’s an example where Niobium may be used: With the recent development of Artificial intelligence the need for a stronger and more powerful computer to process information that will lead to self-learning capabilities has never been greater. Just imagine having a computer system at home that will learn everything that you’ve taught them in an instant while giving you the most optimal answer and option like Iron man’s computer system Jarvis. 

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Unfortunately Niobium can only be found in mainly 3 countries and 88% of Niobium comes from only 2 mines in Brazil. What could be the potential issues of using such rare and scarce material?

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Activity 1. Resource Reliability Examination 

Students can work in pairs or individually for this activity. You will need to access the Interactive Supply Chain Map above for this activity

 

Preliminary Information: 

Primary production countries are in RED – These produce raw materials such as Niobium ores.

Secondary production countries are in BLUE – These process Niobium to make goods such as Computer parts (Transistors, conductors etc.)

Tertiary production countries are in GREEN – These produce the final products such as Quantum computers. 

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1. Firstly, you will examine the reliability of the secondary production chain for Niobium. In order to examine this, you are required to count how many countries are there that Niobium are being exported to. Complete Table 1. (Some examples have been done for you)

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Remember: The Secondary production chain are the Yellow Lines on the map!

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     2. Now you will have to examine the tertiary production lines and insert into Table 2. the number and countries in which          these tertiary production countries import their materials from the secondary production countries (First example has          been done for you).

Remember: The Tertiary production chain are the Orange Lines on the map!

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Discussion:

1. Referring to Tables 1&2, can you identify any country that is too reliant on certain countries for the supply of Niobium or processed Niobium goods? If so, give reasons as to why this is the case.

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2. If Brazil stops producing Niobium due to the sudden closure of the 2 mines they have, what would happen to the other countries? Would all countries be affected equally? If not provide your reasoning.

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3. Since Brazil produces 88% of the worlds Niobium what are the potential consequences of having so much Niobium in the hands of one country? Will there be a higher chance of conflict and corruption as a result? *Click the Brazil country and open the link to read about some potential consequences.

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4. Scientists are often looking for materials with similar properties to the ones that are very scarce on planet Earth such as Niobium in the hopes of replacing them with a more readily available source. What could the governments do in order to support this process?

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Activity 2. Brainstorming Conflict Materials

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• Watch the following video: 5 things you didn’t know about conflict materials  https://youtu.be/ytyCc5LmO78

• Arrange into groups of 4 to brainstorm your answers to the following questions.

• Present your findings to the rest of the class using a poster or computer presentation.

 

Class Discussion Questions

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1. The cell phones and computers we are currently using contain minerals that are very scarce and only found in small parts of the world. These minerals sometimes fuel conflicts with rebel groups who wish to use these resources to fund their own agenda. What are some of the ways in which the government and we could stop this problem?

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2. What are the potential problems that may arise if we stop obtaining resources from conflict areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo?

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Something to think about - Will the phones and computers be just as accessible to people? Who are all the stakeholders if we stop obtaining resources from these areas?

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