How can an industry and the world turn a blind eye to the harrowing statistic that over 40,000 children are trafficked in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?
The gleaming allure of electric vehicles (EVs), promising a cleaner and greener tomorrow, often obscures a grim reality. Behind the sleek exteriors and sustainable rhetoric lies a disturbing truth: the rampant child labor and human trafficking fueling the production of their batteries. Nowhere is this tragedy more evident than in the DRC, the world’s primary source of cobalt, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries.
Of the world’s cobalt supply, a whopping 70% comes from the DRC, primarily from just one city: Kolwezi. It cannot be that difficult to monitor the mines. We must engage on multiple levels to stop this—boycott, police, and empower both locally and globally—to eliminate child labor and trafficking in cobalt mines. We must hold corporations, consumers, and governments accountable and demand transparency. According to the UN, over 40,000 children are trafficked into these mines, forced to work in deplorable conditions. These children, some as young as seven, are exposed to hazardous environments and deprived of their childhood and education.
In Kolwezi, these children work in the cobalt mines owned by major corporations such as Glencore, Huayou Cobalt, and ERG. They are often paid less than $2 a day, if at all, and experience physical abuse, malnutrition, and health hazards. They work in narrow tunnels, often without proper ventilation or safety gear. They are also exposed to dangerous mining practices that can lead to workplace injuries, chronic health issues due to prolonged exposure to toxic substances, and even death. They work under conditions tantamount to slavery. This is not just a statistic—it’s a humanitarian crisis.
Regardless of legal ramifications, every cobalt user should be ethically concerned about the supply chain. When almost three-quarters of the world’s cobalt supply comes from DRC, the probability of unethical practices should be worrisome to every supplier, manufacturer, and consumer.
The shift towards EVs is often touted as a solution to climate change and environmental degradation. As such, the demand for cobalt is soaring, driven by the growing popularity of electric vehicles and other battery-powered devices. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that this transition is not a panacea. While electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars, they are still reliant on finite natural resources.
The mining and processing of cobalt, lithium, and other minerals required for batteries have significant environmental impacts, including deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the production of electric vehicles consumes vast amounts of energy and raw materials, contributing to the overall depletion of our planet’s resources. Switching to EVs and batteries may seem like a step in the right direction, but it is merely trading one depleting resource for another. While EVs themselves produce zero tailpipe emissions, the overall environmental impact depends heavily on the source of electricity used to charge them and the processes involved in manufacturing their batteries. Moreover, the production of EVs consumes a considerable amount of other natural resources, including rare earth metals, copper, and aluminum.
It is imperative that we address the pressing issue of overconsumption and wastefulness, which are contributing to the depletion of our planet’s finite resources. Simply replacing one depleting resource with another is not a sustainable solution in the long term, as it only shifts the problem rather than resolving it. We must actively seek to reduce our reliance on material goods, which often come with significant environmental costs. By embracing a more circular economy, we can prioritize practices that promote sustainability, such as reuse, repair, and recycling. This approach not only helps conserve resources but also mitigates environmental damage, creating a more responsible and conscious society. Through collective effort and mindful consumption, we can work towards a future that balances societal needs with ecological preservation. We must persist in discovering innovative solutions to enhance resource management while striving to minimize consumption and waste. Overconsumption and wastefulness will deplete our natural resources, even with improved technologies.
In the short term, we must reflect on the children trafficked for our Teslas and other battery-operated goods. We must protect these children and reignite support for their rights and safety.
In 2019, Apple, Google, Tesla, Microsoft, and Dell were found to have cobalt in supply chains sourced from illegal mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the public outcry and Apple’s pledges to improve their sourcing practices, progress has been limited. As of 2023, NGOs report that transparency in the cobalt supply chain remains inadequate, and about 70% of the world’s cobalt still originates from DRC, much of it from artisanal mines with questionable labor practices.
Consumers, often unaware of these ongoing issues, continue to support these unethical practices through their purchases. However, consumer ignorance is no longer a valid excuse, as information is now easily accessible and freely available. A survey conducted among consumers of EVs revealed that 65% were unaware of the human rights abuses associated with cobalt mining. Once informed, 78% expressed willingness to pay a premium for ethically sourced materials. It is unconscionable to turn a blind eye to the plight of children trafficked and enslaved for the sake of our gadgets and vehicles.
If we are not blinded and corrupted by profit maximization, we can save these children from trafficking. This concern is not so different from the institutionalized slavery we recently overcame. Using children for labor only adds value by reducing the bottom line expense for those profiting from the transactions. This tragedy closely mirrors the unethical blood diamond trade, against which we have taken decisive action. While not completely eradicated, the impact of this issue has been significantly reduced with the Clean Diamond Trade Act enacted in 2003 in the US. Implementing similar measures in the cobalt industry within the DRC would deter immoral and illegal activities, further safeguarding trafficked children.
Corporations must ensure their supply chains do not traffic and enslave children. Implementing robust due diligence measures, including independent audits and third-party certifications, can help identify and address the risks of child labor. Transparent and validating measures, like blockchain technology or other verification methodologies, can help eliminate this problem. For example, De Beers uses blockchain to track the provenance of diamonds, ensuring they are conflict-free. Similar technology could be applied to cobalt. Industry leaders and governments must join forces to deliver education and alternative livelihoods to children in vulnerable communities, paving the way for a brighter future.
Governments, both in consuming and producing countries, must strengthen their enforcement of laws against child labor and human trafficking. This includes improving monitoring and inspection mechanisms, increasing penalties for violators, and providing support for victims. Governments in regions facing these issues must implement stricter policing, monitoring, and protective measures to uphold children’s rights. Simultaneously, they must be heavily penalized for failing to prevent these tragedies. International cooperation is also critical in addressing the global nature of these supply chains. Global alliances should support these governments, providing the necessary resources for such undertakings.
Consumers have the power to demand transparency. We should not accept even the possibility that the car we drive or the electronic device we use may have been part of a child labor supply chain. As consumers, we hold immense power. Advocating for boycotts of all electrically powered products until the child labor problem is resolved is a responsible start. We must also shift towards a more mindful and responsible approach to consumption, prioritizing quality over quantity and prioritizing products that are produced ethically and sustainably.
Empowering local communities through education, economic opportunities, and robust social services can minimize the capitalist reliance on child labor. NGOs and international organizations can play a vital role in these efforts. The fight against child labor in the cobalt mining industry echoes the historical struggle against slavery. Both are rooted in a system that prioritizes profit over human dignity, exploiting vulnerable populations to fuel economic growth. Just as the world eventually recognized the immorality of institutionalized slavery, we must now confront the modern-day slavery that persists in our global supply chains.
The fight against child trafficking in cobalt mines is far from over, but it is a battle we must continue to fight. Thus far, our efforts have primarily focused on raising awareness about this catastrophic issue. Now it is time to take action by using the information that exposes this capitalist exploitation. By demanding transparency, holding corporations accountable, and supporting local and global initiatives, we can make a difference. Let’s strive for a world where no child is ever forced into labor.
