Cobalt creates conflict in Congo - 2nd December 2022

Cobalt is a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries, electric cars and mobile phones and more than 70 percent of it is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, there's serious conflict between massive companies, DRC laws and the independent or 'artisanal' diggers.

These artisanal miners have been accused of having underage workers, risky working environments and dishonest practices. All of these harm the reputation of the DRC's cobalt industry. To improve matters, the government established the Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) in 2019, with the intention of limiting independent workers to restricted zones, and boosting work standards.

The artisanal miners deny problems exist and have resisted the planned changes, which would see cobalt sold through the EGC. The government would take a portion of the profit.

Jean-Réne Mbaza's a site manager for COMAKAT, the artisanal mining cooperative.

Jean-Réne Mbaza: "We try to conform, there are no pregnant women at work, there is no child labour, there is no human exploitation, there are no men in arms who make the diggers artisanal miners work to steal their produce."

In a region where 60 percent depend on cobalt, artisanal mining brings families above average incomes. These reach up to $50 a month. Antoine Dela wa Monga defends artisanal miners' freedoms.

Antoine Dela wa Monga: "Here we are independent, everyone comes, works independently, goes to sell the ore at the trading centre, and makes money. Compared to other mining squares where I've worked, here I work in order."

Although the global need for different energy sources turns cobalt into a billion dollar affair, without regulation the DRC may lose out. Companies such as Tesla, Samsung and Apple prefer to distance themselves from poor practices.

Fair Cobalt Alliances has united all the interested parties in an attempt to break the deadlock. Director David Sturmes believes they share a common interest.

David Sturmes: "And so there is an interest from miners to have a more professional setup and interest from governments to formalise and start generating regular tax revenue and be able to supply to the international market."