Britta Jaschinski's Image

Britta Jaschinski (Germany/UK) uses torchlight to highlight the impact of coltan mining.

Glowing blue in the centre of the frame is a lump of coltan - a metallic ore that is a component of many phone and laptop batteries.

Here Britta surrounds it with mining tools and the remains of animals impacted by the mining industry, all seized by customs authorities, including porcupine quills and a gorilla skull, vertebrae and leg bone.

Coltan is extracted from the riverbeds of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by poorly paid miners who hunt wild animals for food. Hunting and trading wildlife threatens the future of the country's gorillas and has led to an increased risk of viruses jumping to humans.

How you can help

• Reduce your consumption of new technologies. Try to have your mobile phone, camera or laptop repaired before buying a new replacement.
• Recycle your broken electronics through a reliable organisation. If you're in the UK, you can search for one in your area at Recycle Now. If not, you can contact your local authorities for reliable recycling services near you.
• Mining goes hand-in-hand with habitat destruction and the displacement of wild animals which can contribute to the spread of deadly viruses. Talk to your family and friends about the impact of mining on both wildlife and habitats, and encourage them to reduce their electronic waste.