Story of KorQoo. "a positive impact"
The story of KorQoo “a positive impact” began with the idea of looking for an alternative to the aluminium tins because we became aware the aluminium mining industry has, for too many years, been destroying habitats by deforestation and polluting water sources due to the leaching of toxic “Red Mud” waste, generated by the refinery, held in dams.
There are 1000’s of dams around the world that continue to leach into the water sources.
The stockpile of waste from the aluminium production stands at circa 4 billion tonnes (a BMW mini is circa 1.5 tonnes) and with it being mined at 150M tonnes p.a. it’s increasing every year! One tonne of Aluminium generates up to 4 tonnes of waste, the recycling rate of that waste is currently estimated to be less than 10% annually. the stockpile is getting bigger, quickly!
The dry stacking of the waste is an alternative, but it can also be hazardous for years. If poorly controlled, the stack is vulnerable in severe weather conditions, dispersal of the dust in the wind, leaching into water sources during rainstorms, etc.
The mines are in some of the most environmentally sensitive parts of the world. The vast area of deforestation, to accommodate the mines, refineries and infrastructure has been, and is, massively damaging for the environment, and the industry is developing new mining sites all the time.
New proposed sites (600 sq miles) in the hills of the Central Highland of Vietnam, or Minim (500 sq miles) in central Cameroon are only 2 examples of the expansion of the industry.
Now Ghana is proposing to start mining (100 sq miles) in the beautiful Atewa forest home to rare birds, frogs, butterflies, primates and the source of 3 rivers supplying millions of people. It is with this background that I have been motivated to look for an alternative to the aluminium tins, “rather than complain, look for an alternative, make a positive impact”. Its taken time and perseverance but we have arrived.
Now we are introducing the alternative, the KorQoo cork soap box utilizing the natural and unique characteristics of cork and products to match the ethos.
satellite images of aluminium mines in Atewa forest Ghana
Record fine for Alcoa for clearing in Jarrah forest in WA for Aluminium mining
