Protecting Human Rights in DRC Cobalt Mines: A US Priority in a Green Transition

Oct 4, 2022 | Roger-Mark De Souza
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Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken recently reaffirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a nation located in Africa’s heart—as a “geostrategic player and critical partner” for the United States. According to a recent study commissioned by USAID, tapping cobalt stores could unleash a cascade of negative effects, including increased conflict and poverty, environmental damage, supply chain bottlenecks and threats to national security goals.

Cobalt sits at the epicenter of a worldwide economic shift to stop global warming. The U.S. critical minerals list places cobalt as one of four high-impact minerals, and 70 percent of mined cobalt comes from DRC. As a key component of the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and other green technologies, cobalt demand and production are projected to increase roughly 500 percent by 2050 as we move toward net-zero carbon emissions.

Rather than disengaging or turning away from ASM and its challenges, a world that needs a just green transition must engage with local communities and the full spectrum of value-chain stakeholders to address the complex issues of human rights, child labor, security and environment raised by this key mining process. Together, these actors can work to address the root causes of these problems as they build sustainable solutions and maintain livelihoods for the poorest citizens of DRC.