Cobalt Exploitation

Did you know that Cobalt is an essential metal in the making of batteries for electric cars, laptops and mobile phones? As the demand for new technologies grows so too does the demand for cobalt. We all want to embrace a greener future but we also need to be aware of how the minerals required are obtained.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces 70% of the world’s supply of cobalt. Mining is dangerous and there is a high degree of corruption in the cobalt mining industry. Although child labour has been banned in the DRC, it is still common. Children as young as six can be found in the mines handling cobalt, a toxic metal which can cause serious health effects.

A recent episode of Foreign Correspondent, Cobalt Blood, exposed the dangers of cobalt mining and the efforts being taken by the Good Shepherd sisters to ensure the children have an education.

Cobalt Blood can be viewed here.