In the Democratic Republic of Congo, large numbers of people work in dangerous, unregulated mines, digging for cobalt – a mineral used in the batteries found in phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
Akua Debrah of the University of Houston studies mining in the region. She says men and sometimes children extract cobalt ore from deep, unsupported pits and tunnels that can collapse, causing injury and death.
Above ground, women wash and sort the ore, breathing in its toxic dust.
Debrah: “You find children on the backs of these women that are also inhaling some of this dust. And it has long-term impacts on the community. …
You have children that are born with birth defects as a result of their parents mining in these environments.”
As the EV industry grows, the demand for cobalt is increasing.
Debrah: “It is important that we transition away from fossil-based fuels. However … on the back end of the transition lies communities that are being heavily impacted by this type of extraction.”
So she says it’s important that corporations, governments, and advocates demand transparency about mining conditions and protections for workers.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
We help millions of people understand climate change and what to do about it. Help us reach even more people like you.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
