top of page
Search

The Human Cost: Labor Abuses and Child Workers

  • Writer: simone blance
    simone blance
  • Feb 12
  • 1 min read

A 2025-2026 review of cobalt supply chains highlights severe ethical problems in the DRC mining sector, especially in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Many workers operate in informal pits with little protection or oversight. 

  • 15–30% of the DRC’s cobalt comes from ASM, where tens of thousands of children may be involved under dangerous conditions. 

  • Reports indicate child labor and exploitative work conditions are widespread, with many miners earning only a few dollars per day. 

  • These conditions persist despite growing global pressure for ethical sourcing.

This means some of the cobalt inside everyday electronics might be linked to child labor or unsafe work environments — a key concern for activists and policymakers.

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
Why Ethical Cobalt Matters to You

Cobalt may seem like a distant commodity, but products made from it - like the phone in your hand or the battery in an EV -are directly tied to people’s lives in the DRC. As international pressure mou

 
 
 
Environmental and Governance Challenges

Cobalt mining also poses serious environmental concerns: Improper waste disposal and runoff from mining activities can contaminate water and soil. Large-scale deforestation and habitat loss occur aro

 
 
 
Global Supply Trends and 2026 Market Shifts

Cobalt exports from the DRC are now regulated under a quota system that started in late 2025 and continues through 2026–2027. Total annual export quotas are set around 96,600 tonnes per year, which is

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page