Blood Diamond 2.0 - De:Coded
Just as the diamond trade once fuelled conflict in Africa, the cobalt and coltan mining industry has emerged as the modern-day equivalent.
If you own electronic devices powered by batteries, whether it's a mobile phone, laptop, wearable tech, or electric vehicle - chances are high that some of its components were sourced through the challenging labor of miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Cobalt has garnered significant attention in recent years, often referred to as the "blood diamond of batteries." The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to a surge in demand for cobalt, with a significant portion of the world's cobalt supply originating from the DRC. Unfortunately, much of this cobalt is extracted by artisanal miners working in unregulated conditions, often involving child labor.
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Cobalt: The Backbone of the Digital Age
Cobalt, a critical component in lithium-ion batteries, has become indispensable in powering our digital devices. From smartphones to electric vehicles, cobalt plays a pivotal role in maintaining the rhythm of modern life. Congo, home to over 60% of the world's cobalt reserves, has emerged as the primary source of this coveted mineral.
However, the cobalt mining industry in Congo is marred by a multitude of challenges. Artisanal mining, characterized by rudimentary tools and dangerous working conditions, remains prevalent. These artisanal mines often operate beyond the purview of regulations, leading to issues of child labor, hazardous practices, and environmental degradation.
Furthermore, the cobalt supply chain in Congo is entangled with conflict and human rights abuses. Armed groups, seeking to profit from the mineral trade, exploit vulnerable communities, perpetuating violence and instability in the region. Tracing the cobalt supply chain back to its source is notoriously difficult, making it challenging for companies to ensure ethical sourcing practices.
Coltan: The Conflict Mineral
Coltan, short for columbite-tantalite, is another vital mineral found abundantly in Congo. It is a key component in the production of tantalum capacitors, crucial for electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. The demand for coltan has surged with the proliferation of consumer electronics, turning it into a lucrative commodity.
Similar to cobalt, coltan mining in Congo is fraught with challenges. Conflict minerals, including coltan, have financed armed groups in the region for decades. The scramble for control over mines has fuelled violence, displacement, and human rights violations. Despite international efforts to regulate the trade, the illicit extraction and smuggling of coltan persist, perpetuating instability and suffering in Congo.
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Cobalt supply chain
With miners earning just a few dollars daily, what does the remainder of the supply chain entail? How does cobalt transition from the possession of a Congolese labourer to being utilised in the batteries of our phones or vehicles?.
- Artisanal miners: Is starts with the miner who dig for heterogenite, an ore containing copper, cobalt, and nickel.
- Negociant: Artisanal miners sell their ore to negociants, acting as intermediaries between miners and depots, often resulting in lower prices for miners due to transportation challenges or permit requirements.
- Depot: Negociants transport ore to depots, where it is collected from various mining sites.
- Processor/concentrator: Depots sell ore to processors in the DRC, where cobalt is extracted from the ore mixture, sometimes including cobalt from industrial mines.
- Commercial grade refiner: Cobalt is exported to other countries for refining, mainly to China, where companies like Huayou Cobalt dominate the market.
- Battery manufacturer: Refineries transform cobalt into usable forms for manufacturing batteries, with major lithium-ion battery manufacturers located in China, South Korea, and Japan.
- Tech companies: Tesla, Apple, and Microsoft purchase batteries from manufacturers for incorporation into their final products.
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About I Heart Africa
We have collaborated with I Heart Africa to make a powerful step towards raising awareness and driving change in the face of the cobalt and coltan crisis.
I Heart Africa are a global facing Pan-Africanist non profit seeking to educate the diasporic African community through projects, programmes, events and media.
They do the following:
- Create campaigns to bring awareness of injustice.
- Promote indigenous plant medicine & diets.
- Focus on supporting women to support their communities.
- Believe in Afrocentric solutions.
- Support the development of rural self sustainability
I Heart Africa was co-founded by Chaka (@Chakabars), Ranes and Theodore, after a successful fundraising campaign to keep open an at-risk orphanage in DRC, and subsequent key role in the LoveArmySomalia campaign (raising $2,000,000 in 24 hrs) in 2016.
Spurned on by these successes, I Heart Africa charity was born, with a mission “ to promote holistic self-sustainable development in Africa and its Diaspora, building optimal environments for thriving communities.
I Heart Africa is now building capacity to deliver more of it’s own core work after 5 years mainly voluntary delivery utilising social media influence to build partnerships with local charities and grassroots organisations. Fundraising has been delivered through a combination of no-cost crowdsourcing and by Chaka’s incredible network of private individual donors.