In the digital age, rechargeable batteries power our lives, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles (EVs). At the heart of this global revolution lies cobalt, a mineral primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While the demand for cobalt soars, a disturbing reality remains obscured: the human cost of its extraction. Amnesty International’s report, “This Is What We Die For,” lays bare the exploitation, hazardous conditions, and human rights abuses rife in artisanal cobalt mining, compelling industries and consumers to confront this inconvenient truth.
The cobalt connection—a vital but controversial link
The DRC produces more than 50% of the world’s cobalt, a critical component in rechargeable batteries. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s cobalt output. ASM workers rely on rudimentary tools and physical labour to extract this mineral, which eventually fuels the global technology and electric vehicle industries. Despite their indispensable contribution, these miners are subjected to exploitation, working under dangerous conditions with minimal pay.
“We work in conditions that animals would not tolerate,” said one miner interviewed by Amnesty International, highlighting the indignities suffered daily. This disconnection between the vital role of these miners and the disregard for their well-being underscores the urgent need for reform in the cobalt supply chain.
Children are the youngest victims of exploitation
Perhaps the most harrowing revelation of the report is the widespread use of child labour in cobalt mining. UNICEF estimates that approximately 40,000 children work in mines across southern DRC, with many directly involved in cobalt extraction. These children operate in hazardous environments, spending long hours in cramped, poorly ventilated tunnels that pose severe risks of collapse.
Exposure to toxic cobalt dust is a significant health concern, leading to chronic respiratory issues. Additionally, the lack of safety equipment increases their vulnerability to injuries and long-term complications. “I would spend hours in the mine every day,” shared Paul, a 15-year-old miner, “but I earned less than $2 daily. I had no choice.”
This exploitation is driven by extreme poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and the high demand for cobalt. These children represent the most vulnerable victims of a global supply chain that prioritises profits over human rights.
Perilous working conditions
For adult miners, the risks are no less severe. Without safety equipment, miners dig by hand in unstable tunnels that frequently collapse. These accidents often result in fatalities or permanent disabilities. Amnesty International documented multiple cases where miners were buried alive or trapped underground, highlighting the systemic neglect in artisanal mining.
According to a 2014 UNICEF report, the DRC witnesses over 70 reported tunnel collapses annually, many of which result in casualties. This grim statistic underscores the life-threatening challenges miners face daily. Beyond physical risks, the absence of institutional support or regulatory oversight perpetuates their marginalisation.
DRC’s failure to protect people from human rights abuses
Significant gaps and weaknesses in the DRC government’s regulation of artisanal mining contribute to the human rights abuses faced by miners. The Mining Code and Regulations provide limited guidance on health and safety and contain very few provisions to protect artisanal miners’ labour rights.
The government lacks the capacity to monitor and enforce safeguards effectively. For instance, in 2014, the Ministry of Labour employed only 20 inspectors for the entire mining region of southern DRC, leaving worksites largely unchecked for child labour and health and safety violations. This failure has drawn criticism from UN human rights monitoring bodies, ILO expert panels, and NGOs for failing to prioritise labour inspections or eliminate child labour.
Moreover, the national action plan developed in 2011 to eradicate the worst forms of child labour by 2020 has yet to be officially adopted. The Service d’Assistance et d’Encadrement du Small Scale Mining (SAESSCAM), created in 1999 to regulate artisanal mining and improve miners’ conditions, operates only in designated ZEAs (authorised artisanal mining areas). However, there are not enough ZEAs to accommodate the large number of artisanal miners, forcing the majority to work in unauthorised zones where safety and labour conditions remain unregulated.
The global cobalt supply chain: A network of negligence
Researchers followed vehicles of miners and traders transporting cobalt ore from artisanal mines in Kolwezi to markets like Musompo, a hub for mineral trading. At Musompo, independent traders—predominantly Chinese—purchase cobalt ore without regard to its source or mining conditions. These traders sell the ore to larger companies in the DRC, such as Congo Dongfang Mining International (CDM), a subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company Ltd (Huayou Cobalt). Huayou Cobalt is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cobalt products and has been operating in the DRC since 2006.
CDM smelts the cobalt ore locally before exporting it to China, where Huayou Cobalt further processes and sells it to battery component manufacturers in China and South Korea. These manufacturers then supply batteries to global consumer brands, including Apple, Samsung, Sony, and automotive giants like Daimler and Volkswagen. This opaque supply chain complicates efforts to trace cobalt’s origins and ensure ethical sourcing.
Despite international frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains, many companies fail to meet due diligence standards. Amnesty International’s research revealed that companies along the cobalt supply chain—from smelters to downstream buyers—are not adequately addressing human rights risks. Most consumer brands cited generic policies against child labour but provided no evidence of specific investigations into their cobalt supply chains.
Huayou Cobalt’s response to Amnesty International acknowledged its lack of compliance with OECD guidelines, exposing a high risk that cobalt mined under abusive conditions is entering the global market. This failure underscores the systemic gaps in accountability that allow exploitation to persist unchecked.
Is there a corporate accountability?
There is an inability of several leading corporations to trace the origins of the cobalt in their products. This failure occurs despite the existence of frameworks that advocate for ethical sourcing and human rights due diligence. Instead, many companies either lack robust oversight mechanisms or deliberately ignore the abuses in their supply chains.
“Our investigation reveals that consumers unwittingly support a supply chain that subjects miners to extreme risks,” stated Mark Dummett, Business and Human Rights Researcher at Amnesty International. The lack of accountability perpetuates systemic exploitation and prevents meaningful reform in the mining sector.
We need to break this cycle of exploitation
Addressing the cobalt crisis requires coordinated action from governments, corporations, and international organisations. Amnesty International recommends the following measures:
- Ensure transparency: Companies must map their supply chains and publicly disclose the origins of their cobalt.
- Enforce due diligence: Corporations should adopt rigorous human rights standards and conduct regular audits to identify and mitigate abuses.
- Invest in communities: Resources should be directed toward improving miners’ living and working conditions, including education and healthcare for children.
- Support ASM formalisation: Governments must regulate and formalise artisanal mining to provide fair wages, enforce safety standards, and offer legal protections.
By implementing these reforms, stakeholders can mitigate the systemic abuses and ensure ethical sourcing practices that prioritise human dignity.
The role of consumers: The biggest influencers ever!
While institutional changes are vital, consumers also have a role to play in driving accountability. By demanding ethically sourced products and supporting brands committed to sustainable practices, individuals can push corporations to prioritise human rights. Awareness campaigns and certifications for responsibly sourced minerals empower consumers to make informed choices and contribute to systemic change.
A turning point? The future of ethical sourcing
As the global transition to greener technologies accelerates, the demand for cobalt is projected to increase significantly. This growing reliance on the mineral offers an opportunity to reassess and transform the exploitative practices that underpin its extraction. Companies at the forefront of innovation must extend their commitment to sustainability beyond environmental concerns, addressing the human rights violations within their supply chains.
“We cannot call a product green if its core ingredients are tainted with red—the blood of the exploited,” remarked an activist from the DRC. This poignant statement underscores the urgency of reforming cobalt sourcing practices to build a truly sustainable and ethical future.
Confronting the human cost of convenience
The Amnesty International report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the convenience of modern technology. From the depths of Congolese mines to the sleek gadgets in our hands, cobalt’s journey is fraught with exploitation and suffering. Addressing these issues demands a collective effort from governments, corporations, and consumers to prioritise ethical practices and uphold the rights of those at the start of this global supply chain. Only through systemic reform and heightened accountability can we build a future that values sustainability and equity for all.
