The mineral cobalt is an essential constituent of lithium batteries, with the cathode being cobalt oxide. If you have a smartphone, a (hybrid) electric car, a laptop, or a camera you may be an unwitting cobalt consumer. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contributes 63% of world cobalt supply. This may increase to 73%, with the authorities apparently ignoring child labor. This may be because cobalt mining is a significant contributor to the national economy.
CNN Video Exposes Child Labor on DRC Cobalt Mines
Leading battery manufacturers have pledged “every effort to ensure the highest possible standards in the labor practices of our suppliers”. However, all of them, including Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, and Daimler concede the nature of the supply chain makes this difficult.
Because their current procurement method involves intermediary agents, and this effectively separates them from knowing their sources. CNN published an explosive video on their news channel on 1 May 2018. This suggests child labor is alive and well in DRC cobalt mining. Moreover, their reporter implies this may involve selective monitoring by officials.
We published this post because we believe human rights have no boundaries. However, children and/or sensitive people should please not view the following news footage.
Caution: This Video Shows Some Violence against Children for Not Hiding from Reporters
Child Labor in the DRCongo is Nothing New
Amnesty International previously highlighted the problem in a 2016 report. They claimed major electronics brands, including Apple, Samsung and Sony, were “failing to do basic checks to ensure that cobalt mined by child labor had not been used in their products.” Leading cobalt producer Glencore also conceded last month, “Some small mines in the DRC are using children”.
This deeply concerning situation will worsen as the expected electric car boom unfolds. The greatest problems, according to CNN are where small mines sell their output to dealers at local open markets. Major companies are tightening controls and trying to eliminate intermediaries.
However, we fear this problem will not even begin to reduce until peace and normality return to the DRC. The country has been at civil war with itself since independence in 1960. There are few signs of this ending.
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Preview Image: Cobalt Mine Entrance in Katanga, DRC
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/FwutXVTWkrw
