I recently saw some pieces on shows like CNN and the journal with Joan Lunden on PBS that were talking about issues and solutions for industrial recycling. This is an interesting twist that could really become a game changer in the future. Whoever gets in at the beginning of the urban mining will possibly be a part of a new gold rush of sorts. I hope we start implementing such programs early on to reduce our dependence.

I think the metal that copper is being replaced by to improve conductivity is silver; I don't think there is anything more conductive than silver (except niobium within a few degrees of absolute zero, blah blah).

Copper is more conductive (electrically and thermally) than gold.

Lately I've been noticing an effort to convince people to donate old cell phones for charitable purposes. Like someone is really going to use my beat -up 5 year old Kyocera. No, more likely this is an attempt to salvage the metals from old phones.
When I was in Verizon I noticed a poster and a basket for old cell phones "for our Troops". Like an old Verizon CDMA phone will work in Iragna's GSM coverage area. When I questioned a sales rep in the store he didn't know much about it.