Special report : Inside the Congo cobalt mines that exploit children

Summary

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thousands of unregulated mines exploit children working in harsh conditions, earning meager wages. The DRC, rich in minerals like cobalt—a critical component in lithium-ion batteries—sees children as young as four mining without gloves or masks, risking health and safety. The cobalt is sold cheaply to Chinese traders and ends up in global batteries, fueling multinational corporations while the miners suffer. Amnesty International's investigation revealed human rights abuses, but little has changed, with child labor persisting for the production of coveted minerals.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has numerous unregulated and unmonitored mines where children work under harsh conditions.
• 👧 Children as young as four are involved in mining, losing their childhoods to labor in these dangerous environments.
• 💰 The work is poorly paid, with children earning as little as the equivalent of a pound for a 12-hour day of labor.
• 🛠️ Mining operations are rudimentary, with hand-dug tunnels and no safety equipment, leading to frequent collapses and health hazards.
• 🔋 Cobalt is a critical mineral in lithium-ion batteries, making it highly valuable for the technology industry.
• 📱 Cobalt mined by these children ends up in products like smartphones and laptops, powering devices used worldwide.
• 😔 The children face severe hardships, including hunger and potential beatings for mistakes, with one child having gone two days without food.
• 🤝 The Cobalt is sold cheaply to Chinese traders, who often act as intermediaries for larger Chinese companies.
• 🔄 There is a complex supply chain that allows multinational corporations to deny responsibility for the conditions in which the Cobalt is mined.
• 🏥 Exposure to Cobalt can cause long-term health problems, and miners work without gloves or masks, increasing their risk.
• 🏭 An investigation by Amnesty International revealed human rights abuses in the mining industry, but little has changed since then.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is the exploitation of child labor in unregulated mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where children work under harsh conditions to mine Cobalt, a critical ingredient in lithium-ion batteries.

What are the working conditions like for the children in these mines?

The children work in wretched conditions, often without shoes, gloves, or masks, and are exposed to hazardous materials like Cobalt dust, which can cause long-term health problems.

How much does a day's work earn these children?

A 12-hour day of hard work may earn them as little as the equivalent of a pound or eight British Pence.

What is the significance of Cobalt in the context of the script?

Cobalt is a critical ingredient in lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices, making it more precious than gold in the current market.

What is the role of multinational corporations in this scenario?

Multinational corporations, particularly in America and China, are indirectly benefiting from the cheap Cobalt mined by these children, as it is used in the production of batteries for their products.

How does the script describe the physical work of the child miners?

The script describes the physical work as punishing, with children climbing down unsecured tunnels, digging by hand, and sorting minerals without any safety equipment.

What are the health risks associated with Cobalt exposure?

Exposure to Cobalt and breathing in its dust fumes can cause long-term health problems, as stated by the World Health Organization.

How does the script illustrate the urgency and danger faced by the child miners?

The script illustrates this through the story of Dorsan, who is told he risks a beating if he makes a mistake, and the description of tunnels that frequently collapse, especially during rain.

What is the age range of the children working in the mines according to the script?

The script mentions children as young as four years old, like Monica, and as old as 12 years, like Natalie, working in the mines.

How is the Cobalt from these mines eventually sold and distributed?

The Cobalt is sold cheaply to mostly Chinese traders, who then sell it to Chinese parent companies that supply some of the world's biggest battery makers.

What is the implication of the supply chain described in the script?

The intricate supply chain allows multinational corporations to deny direct involvement in the exploitation of child labor, as they are several steps removed from the actual mining process.