Cobalt, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, is mined in the DRC. However, the mining industry has been plagued by child labor and violence.

In the DRC, artisanal and small-scale mining operations, often run by local militias, have proliferated due to the lack of regulation and corruption. Child labor, including children as young as six, is rampant in these operations. These children are exposed to hazardous working conditions, including deep underground mining, manual excavation, and exposure to toxic substances. The lack of safety measures and education on the dangers of mining puts these children at risk of physical harm, disease, and long-term health issues.

Moreover, the conflict in the DRC has fueled violence and armed groups' control over mining areas, leading to forced labor, extortion, and human rights abuses. Children are often recruited by armed groups or forced to work to support their families, and they face the risk of being used as soldiers, sex slaves, or even killed.

The global demand for cobalt, driven by the growth of the electronics and energy storage industries, has contributed to the perpetuation of these problematic mining practices. Companies sourcing cobalt from the DRC have been accused of complicity in these abuses, either through direct involvement or by benefiting from the exploitation of child labor.

Efforts have been made to address this issue, including the development of responsible sourcing guidelines, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and governmental and non-governmental organizations' interventions. However, the scale of the problem remains immense, and the conflict in the DRC continues to exacerbate the exploitation of child labor and the extraction of cobalt. (ai)