The Truth Behind Cobalt

To achieve the goal of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, governments worldwide are committed to transitioning to a decarbonised future. As part of this effort, there are plans to ban the production of internal combustion engine vehicles as early as 2035. This shift has led to a significant increase in the demand for cobalt, a key component used in renewable energy technologies like electric cars. Currently, batteries account for more than 50% of global cobalt consumption. With projections indicating a surge in electric vehicle sales from 6.5 million in 2021 to 66 million by 2040, the demand for cobalt continues to rise steadily.

The global rush for cobalt extraction, however, carries significant consequences, disproportionately impacting the world's most impoverished nations. The Congo has become a focal point for extensive cobalt mining endeavours, primarily led by Chinese companies aiming to establish a future energy hub. Unfortunately, these operations have faced allegations of corruption, exploitation of local communities, and harmful contamination of workers. These accusations shed light on the dangerous working conditions faced by nearly a quarter of a million "artisan" miners, including women and children who toil for barely sufficient wages.

Modern-day slavery

In the grim reality of mining operations, one can imagine the haunting scenes of people, including women and children, scavenging in trenches, pits, and tunnels, employing outdated pickaxes and shovels to collect cobalt that will be passed along the supply chain. These workers toil on lands they were displaced from, surrounded by air thick with dust and contaminated water tainted by toxic waste from mining processes. Despite the inherent toxicity of cobalt, the distressing truth remains that hundreds of thousands of Congolese workers handle this hazardous material without the necessary tools and protections to safeguard their health and well-being.

The worst of all is what happens during the tunnel digging and excavation of cobalt, as tunnels and pits are hand-dug without proper supports and ventilation shafts, the collapse of these tunnels has become a common occurrence. Tragically, these collapses bury alive everyone who is down there, including children. Amid this painful reality, the Congolese parents question themselves – whether they can afford to eat and sustain themselves or face the cruel prospect of starvation. Even if bringing their children into these pits each day just to earn an extra fifty cents or a dollar, it could mean the difference between eating or not. This cycle of dehumanisation and exploitation is a reminder that slavery still exists. While it is no longer the old-world method of trading people and owning people like properties, this is the 21st century, modern-day slavery.

The links in a supply chain

Although companies like Tesla and Apple do not directly buy cobalt from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this mineral eventually finds its way into the products we use. Acting as middlemen, Chinese companies, such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, own extensive mines throughout the country. As of 2021, 15 out of 19 of the largest industrial mines in Congo were owned or financed by Chinese companies. These firms rank among the largest cobalt producers globally, supplying the mineral to battery manufacturers who, in turn, provide it to companies like Tesla to produce electric vehicles.

Despite having a legal obligation not to endanger surrounding communities and a government ban on children working in mines, these Chinese companies have made little to no effort in enforcing these regulations on the ground. As a result, when accidents occur (and they are inevitable), resulting in the tragic loss of workers' lives, these mining companies are notably absent. A whistle-blower, employed at one of the prominent mines, further corroborates the lack of safety measures and disregard for human life. According to the whistle-blower, Chinese supervisors overseeing these operations choose not to report incidents to the government. Instead, they conceal the deaths by burying the deceased and bribing the families to maintain silence about the incidents.

Ultimately, it makes it nearly impossible for buyers to ensure a supply of cobalt-free from child labour. From here, this will flow onto manufacturers who produce components for phones, computers, and electric vehicles, using materials made from mines that do not adhere to child labour-free practices.

Final point

The mining of cobalt in the DRC reveals a deeply troubling reality. The haunting scenes of workers, including women and children, highlight the cycle that perpetuates the exploitation of workers and underscores the pressing need for comprehensive action to prioritize the well-being of those involved in the cobalt industry. Efforts must focus on improving safety standards and eradicating child labour. More specifically, the final link of the supply chain, that is companies like Tesla, must prioritise transparency and take accountability by thoroughly examining their suppliers and demanding evidence of adherence to fair labour standards and community wellbeing. Collaborations with industry stakeholders and human rights organisations will also aid to establish strong sets of initiatives that will advocate for industry-wide systematic changes and promote responsible business practices to create a more sustainable and ethical future for the mining of cobalt.