A millennial is building America’s first nickel-cobalt refinery
But it’s proving ethically trickier than she expected
Kaleigh Long believed there had to be an American fix. As an Oklahoman working on political campaigns in the Democratic Republic of Congo she saw all too closely the bloodiness of the critical-mineral trade. Militias killed her flatmate’s siblings, burnt homes on resource-rich land and forced children to dig in the mines—as Chinese companies tolerated the abuses.
Explore more
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Cobalt blues”
United States March 2nd 2024
- IVF is a slam-dunk issue for Democrats. Abortion may not be
- The economics of skiing in America
- Does Joe Biden’s re-election campaign have a Gaza problem?
- Is Google’s Gemini chatbot woke by accident, or by design?
- A millennial is building America’s first nickel-cobalt refinery
- Vladimir Putin hardly needs to interfere in American democracy
Discover more
Does Donald Trump have unlimited authority to impose tariffs?
Yes, but other factors could hold him back
As Jack Smith exits, Donald Trump’s allies hint at retribution
The president-elect hopes to hand the justice department to loyalists
Democratic states are preparing for Donald Trump’s return
But Mr Trump will be more prepared, too
Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard are coming for the spooks
The president-elect’s intelligence picks suggest a radical agenda
Checks and Balance newsletter: Trump is embracing a shift in Republican priorities
Will he follow through on his policy commitments?
Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as America’s attorney-general
Will the Senate be brave enough to block Donald Trump’s other outlandish nominees?