"This event showcased technology that I would say ninety-nine percent of the world doesn't know about. The phrase 'seeing is believing' is really what encompasses this."

-Mel Freedman, Event Attendee

If asked where your cell phone or laundry detergent originated— if you’re like most people-- you probably wouldn’t be able to answer with confidence. The reality is that each year more than 38,000 lbs of minerals must be mined to accommodate the average person’s use or consumption of everyday items such as a cell phone or laundry detergent. Rio Tinto— one of the world’s largest mining companies with a new presence in Chicago— understood that they had a unique opportunity to educate consumers about where their everyday items come from and the processes used to mine. They partnered with EX3 Labs to host an event for Chicago Ideas Week in the EX3 Ideation Lab.