Bulletin No. 30
The Dark Side of Cobalt Mining: Unveiling Human Rights Abuses
Introduction
The mining of cobalt is a crucial component in the production of batteries for electronic devices. As the global demand for cobalt rises, predominantly driven by the burgeoning electric vehicle industry, concerns about the ethical implications of cobalt extraction have come to the forefront. This article explores how the mining of cobalt, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been associated with severe human rights violations.
The Cobalt Boom
The DRC home to a significant portion of the world's cobalt reserves, has become a focal point in the global cobalt supply chain. The cobalt boom, driven by the demand for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, has led to an exponential increase in mining activities in the DRC. However, this surge in cobalt production has not translated into equitable benefits for the local population. Instead, the industry has become a breeding ground for human rights abuses.
Child Labour and Exploitation
One of the most distressing aspects of cobalt mining in the DRC is the widespread use of child labour. Reports from nongovernmental organisations such as Amnesty International have exposed the harsh reality that many children, some as young as seven years old, are engaged in hazardous cobalt mining activities. The Independent has reported of the conditions in the cobalt mines, where children stand knee-deep with their bare skin in toxic pools, and babies carried in slings on their mothers’ backs into pits. The children that are subjected to the gruelling conditions, are further exposed to toxic substances without proper protective measures. In addition to child labour, cobalt mining operations in the DRC are often characterized by unsafe working conditions. Miners, both adults, and children, work in mines with inadequate safety measures, leading to a higher risk of accidents and health issues. The lack of proper ventilation, protective gear, and safety regulations puts the lives of miners at stake, highlighting a blatant disregard for basic human rights and workplace standards.
Forced Evictions, Environmental Degradation and Displacement
The extent to which cobalt mining affects communities surrounding the areas is also insurmountable and extreme. Amnesty International reports that communities in the city of Kolwezi have been destroyed by DRC mining companies to reinstate open pit copper and cobalt mines in 2015. To make matters worse, these communities are often left without any support from the government, creating mass displacement within the region. As Donat Kambola, president of Initiative pour la Bonne Gouvernance et les Droits Humains states: “People are being forcibly evicted, or threatened or intimidated into leaving their homes, or misled into consenting to derisory settlements. Often there was no grievance mechanism, accountability, or access to justice.” The forced evictions faced by the Congolese people are another notable violation of human rights.
Cobalt extraction is not only harming the people involved but also the environment. The irony lies in the issue of how Cobalt is needed to transition the world to a greener economy but has worsened the environmental problems and livelihoods of those surrounding it. The unregulated and often illegal mining practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation. Additionally, local communities and workers are subjected to hazardous ‘possible’ carcinogens as the bodies of water surrounding the mines have been found to been contaminated with high levels of cobalt. The community who are dependent on the nearby environment for their livelihoods, further face displacement and loss of resources. The environmental impact further exacerbates the human rights crisis in the region, as vulnerable populations suffer the consequences of unchecked cobalt extraction.
Conclusion
The mining of cobalt, a critical component in the modern technological era, has cast a dark shadow on the human rights landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exploitation of child labour, unsafe working conditions, environmental degradation, and displacement are all interconnected facets of a complex issue that demands immediate attention. As the global community strives to meet the demand for sustainable and ethical resources, it is imperative to confront the human rights abuses associated with cobalt mining, holding both governments and corporations accountable for their actions.
Charity Spotlight
The Good Shephard International Foundation is a nongovernmental organisation aimed at producing an inclusive society where girls, women and children living in vulnerable conditions in impoverished areas of the world are supported and protected. The organisation is also geared towards protecting and promoting the rights of people affected by poverty, human trafficking, migration and gender based violence in regions across the world.
Visit https://www.gsif.it/countries/dr-congo/ to find out more about the organisation’s development programme to address Human Rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how you can help by donating.
Internal Opportunities
· Opt for refurbished devices or those manufactured with responsibly sourced materials, as consumers send a powerful message to companies that ethical practices matter.
o This shift in consumer behaviour can impact companies' profits, prompting them to reconsider their supply chain practices and prioritise human rights. Additionally, raising awareness about the connection between cobalt mining and human rights abuses, and advocating for corporate transparency, can further amplify the collective voice demanding change in the electronics industry. In essence, individual choices have the potential to catalyse a broader movement towards ethical consumption and accountability.
· Read Cobalt Red, How the Blood of the Congo Powers our lives by Siddharth Kara
o Reading this book will help consumers to understand how the Congo industry works and how the exploitation occurs. It also provides an insight into the lives of everyday Congolese workers and the atrocities they face, where Congo’s cobalt mines been described as a modern – day slavery, with all its issues of human trafficking and child labour.
External Opportunities
Friends of the Congo is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for positive change in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Established with the goal of promoting human rights, social justice, and sustainable development, Friends of the Congo seeks to address the complex challenges faced by the Congolese people. The organization focuses on issues such as conflict minerals, gender-based violence, and the exploitation of natural resources, aiming to foster a better understanding of the socio-political dynamics in the region.
Visit https://friendsofthecongo.org/children/ to make a financial contribution to support the Child Miner Rescue Program.
Visit https://friendsofthecongo.org/movement-building/ to join the movement.
