The Congo 🇨🇩 is home to 115 million Congolese, and currently, there are approximately 45 million Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM), 30% of whom are Women.
70% of the world’s cobalt is produced in the Congo. Cobalt is an essential mineral for rechargeable batteries in iPhones, Droids, Tablets, Laptops, Electric Vehicles, etc.
Exposure to Cobalt is hazardous and can result in health risks; it is said you cannot touch or breathe due to its deadly combination.
The Mines are described as conditions that no human should ever be in.
Currently, 7 million Congolese have been forced to excavate due to the continual expansion of the Industrial Companies. This could directly violate adequate housing under International Human Rights Law.
Sources
NPR “How Modern-day slavery in the Congo powers the rechargeable battery economy.”
The Climate Club “ Cobalt Mining in the Congo: Environmental Health, Safety, & Human Rights”
Council on Foreign Relations “ Why Cobalt Mining in the DRC Needs Urgent Attention”
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