225,000 Congolese people and more than 40,000 children mine cobalt for brands like Apple, Samsung, and Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Read on to learn the truth behind what is powering your electronics and what you can do to act against this abuse.
What Is Cobalt?
Cobalt is found in select deposits around the globe, with the largest deposit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the DRC. Cobalt’s unique energy density and high stability provide power for nearly every electronic device, from cell phones to government drones. As the demand for smartphones, electric vehicles, and other electronics increases, human rights violations in the DRC have only intensified. Despite international awareness and various efforts to address these issues, progress remains slow, and the plight of these workers continues to be a major global concern.
Abuse As We Speak
The eyes of the world are on the DRC, as it is responsible for most of the world’s cobalt and a significant portion of the adults and children currently living in slavery. According to journalist Michele Fabiola Lawson, “More than half of the world’s cobalt resources are located in the DRC, and over 70% of the world’s cobalt mining occurs there.” By 2025, reports expect cobalt production to increase 60%.
The exploitation of child labor in cobalt mining within the Democratic Republic of Congo is a significant humanitarian issue. In 2021, the Wilson Foundation reported that, of the 225,000 Congolese people mining cobalt, 40,000 are children. These children often work in hazardous conditions, facing significant health risks and exploitation. They are kept from school in order to work in the mines, leading to a vicious cycle in which they remain uneducated and unable to escape the cycle of poverty. If a child’s family is killed in the mine, children must continue to work in order to survive. An estimated2,000 people die every year during production from collapsing mine shafts, overexhaustion, and even drowning.
In addition to the impact on humans, the environment is also being drastically altered as a result of the mining process. The mines and areas surrounding them have become heavily contaminated with toxic materials. Additionally, nearby farmlands have been directly affected by the toxic runoff and trauma to the soil, making them impossible to use. People and the environment alike are being consistently exploited by cobalt production, which, in turn, affects the locals’ economy and living conditions.
Cobalt Mining as a Feminist Issue
Although all workers experience horrific conditions, many overlook the rampant sexual abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls. Solange, a female cobalt miner, shared, “I was sexually abused by my boss almost every week. I could not give up the job because I needed the money to support my children and my parents.”
In addition to sexual exploitation, many women have reported severe health issues. An interview with female workers revealed a shocking prevalence of irregular menstrual cycles, skin diseases, miscarriages, and birth defects. Strikingly, one female respondent commented, “These companies have come only to enrich themselves and to bring us death.”
Big 5 Tech Allegations
Several technology companies, such as Tesla, Apple, and Google, have faced legal action for allegedly violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and “knowingly benefiting from and aiding and abetting the cruel and brutal use of young children in the Democratic Republic of Congo to mine cobalt.” However, in a court rulingfrom March of 2024, the United States Court for the District of Columbia Circuit denied Apple, Alphabet Inc. (Google), Microsoft, and Tesla’s responsibility for the abuse. The Court held that, since the companies contracted with the mines but did not own them, they could not be held liable. Despite ample evidence against the companies funding the exploitation, the abuse was allowed to continue.
Tesla
When questioned about his use of cobalt, technology pioneer and owner of Tesla, Elon Musk, mentioned that Teslas only use a small piece of cobalt as a binding, and “in contrast, your phones all use 100% cobalt. I recommend complaining to phone manufacturers.” Ironically, a month later, in June 2023, Tesla’s cobalt source, Glencore, was ranked the second most abusive workplace in the Congo, with more than 70 allegations against them for human rights abuse.
Since then, Tesla has announced that it is switching from cobalt and nickel to lithium iron phosphate batteries because it is cheaper and more ethical to produce.
Samsung
Another technology giant, Samsung, has attempted to wipe its slate completely without taking responsibility. For several years, Samsung has been reported to continue contracts with known unethical DRC mining companies. In response to a recent lawsuit, Samsung did not renew the contract, to the relief of many. In a vague statement, the company neglected to mention its previous affiliation with DRC mining and instead rebranded itself by saying, “As a responsible global company, Samsung continues to strive for a better future for humanity and the environment.”
Apple
In May 2024, Apple was warned to stop cobalt production by representatives of the DRC, who stated that Apple makes products “tainted by the blood of the Congolese people.” It is alleged by international lawyers that Apple’s cobalt suppliers purposefully obscure the mineral’s origin so that it can illegally enter the supply chain.
Recently, Apple has declared an effort to save its reputation after reportedly committing numerous crimes against humanity. In 2021, Apple began using recycled cobalt in 13% of its products, a percentage that increased to 25% in 2022. Despite pledging to be cobalt-free by 2025, Apple has not specified how it will meet this goal.
On the Front Lines of the World’s Largest Humanitarian Crisis
Amid the abuse happening in the Congolese mines, one man is standing on the front lines in an effort to expose the truth behind the world’s cobalt supply. Siddharth Kara has become a prominent figure by reporting on the treatment of workers straight from the mines. He has written several books on the matter, including Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives, which was a finalist for the General Nonfiction Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He is one of the only people alive who has been able to access the true horrors of this industry.
Kara has exposed the truth about cobalt by publishing hard-hitting, undercover videos that exposed the actual conditions of the mines. Notably, Kara’s footage of an area in the Katanga Mine displays crowds caked in filth, milling through the mines with hardly an inch to move while engaged in strenuous activity. One striking feature of the footage is the lack of machines since a significant portion of cobalt is dug by hand.
During one of his visits, he noted, “If you go there as an NGO worker or a journalist with credentials, the visits are curated and limited as to what you can see. I was able to blend in and, across several trips, get deeper and deeper.” Kara also explained how completely ethical cobalt does not exist because there is no way to trace its true origin. After four trips to realistically report on the working conditions and 20 years of research, Kara has become the leading advocate for change on this issue.
Cobalt Production in the United States
Discourse on the matter of national security has also arisen as a result of worldwide dependence on cobalt. American political officials and civilians alike fear other countries’ control over the cobalt supply due to the world’s reliance on it. Many drones and military devices run on LI batteries, making it a serious security issue. China, being the largest consumer of cobalt, controls over three-fourths of the world’s supply, which has worried people across the political spectrum.
In response, Bryce Crocker, CEO of an Australian-based mining company called Jervois Global, is working to bring cobalt production to the United States. Recently, Crocker gained popularity producing a U.S.-based cobalt mine in Idaho. Switching to locally produced cobalt could mean implementing a more regulated working environment and the reduction of slavery.
Unfortunately, the mine would never reach production due to the competition of unethically-produced cobalt, and it closed in 2023, leaving 300 people unemployed. Though Crocker’s attempt was unsuccessful, it started an important conversation on the possibility of cobalt production in the United States.
The Choice is Yours: The Imperative for Responsible Cobalt Sourcing
With 64 worldwide elections in 2024 and approximately 66 in 2025, electric vehicles have become a significant topic of discussion. Across the globe, politicians have advocated for a mass switch to electric vehicles as a main source of transportation. However, this would increase cobalt production and with it, slavery. Therefore, a rise in demand for electric vehicles must be met by robust cobalt mining and importation regulations. Implementing traceability and transparency in the supply chain can help mitigate the risk of human rights violations. Advocacy for ethical sourcing, support for technological innovation, and pressure on policymakers and corporations to enforce regulations can create positive change.
Masie Zasadny is a senior who is studying English at the University of Florida with an interest in publishing. Her studies have taken her all over America, as well as Norway and Sweden. Some of her favorite things include Danny Elfman’s music, Frances Ha, and the novels of Ernest Hemingway. In the future, she hopes to cultivate a small farm and write novels with her husband, Colin, and their cat, Stanley, at her side.
