What is included in the raw material extraction phase of a product's lifecycle?

The raw material extraction phase plays a critical role in the lifecycle of a product, as it focuses on the initial step where basic materials are sourced. This phase includes the processes involved in obtaining natural resources, such as minerals, metals, and biomass, which are essential for creating the product.

In this context, the correct focus is on the basic materials that are procured through various processes such as mining, forestry, or agricultural harvesting. These activities lay the foundation for all subsequent stages of production and significantly influence a product's overall environmental impact, resource use, and sustainability. Understanding this phase is vital for assessing both the ecological consequences of resource extraction and the importance of sourcing sustainable raw materials.

The other phases mentioned—assembly of components, energy used in manufacturing, and disposal methods—are related to later stages in the product lifecycle and do not pertain to the extraction of raw materials.