The Link Between Mining and Healthcare
Mining Powers Medical Technology
When most people think of mining, they picture construction materials, metals for manufacturing, or resources used in energy. But mining also plays a vital role in something much more personal: healthcare.
Take Type 1 Diabetes, for example—a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world. Managing this disease has been revolutionized by wearable medical devices. What many don’t realize is that these tools wouldn’t exist without the materials supplied by the mining industry.
Diabetes Devices: What’s Involved?
Most people with Type 1 Diabetes rely on a combination of two high-tech tools to manage their condition:
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): These track glucose levels in real time, eliminating the need for frequent finger pricks.
Insulin Pumps: These deliver precise amounts of insulin throughout the day based on data from the CGM.
Together, these devices allow people with diabetes to live more freely and safely. But what powers these small, life-saving technologies?
The Critical Minerals Behind the Tech
Inside each CGM and insulin pump is a network of sensors, transmitters, batteries, and circuit boards. These components rely on a long list of mined materials, including, but not limited to:
Lithium – used in rechargeable batteries
Gold and Silver – enable reliable electrical conductivity
Copper – essential for wiring and internal circuits
Silicon – used in microchips and processors
Nickel, Iron, Magnesium, Aluminum, Tin, Chromium, and Carbon – found in various structural and electrical components
These materials don’t just appear—they come from mining operations around the globe.
Minerals Used in Diabetes Medical Technology
Mining Makes Medical Innovation Possible
Mining isn’t often associated with healthcare, but without it, most modern medical technologies wouldn’t exist. Devices like CGMs and insulin pumps rely on dozens of mined minerals to operate reliably, safely, and accurately.
And it’s not just diabetes care—pretty much any other medical tool or piece of equipment like pacemakers, hearing aids, MRI machines, and surgical instruments all depend on materials extracted from the earth.
Everyday Impact, Global Importance
Nearly every person knows someone—a friend, coworker, or loved one—managing a chronic illness like diabetes. The tools they rely on are a direct result of the mining industry’s role in global health innovation.
By understanding how mining connects to everyday technology, we can better appreciate its value beyond the industrial world. It’s not just about digging up rock—it’s about delivering better health, mobility, and quality of life to millions of people.
At Ascendancy Recruiting, we’re proud to support companies that drive innovation in both mining and healthcare. We believe in the power of people, and in the resources that make their work possible.