Why Cobalt Mining Needs Urgent Attention in the DRC
A “creuseur,” or digger, climbs through a cobalt and copper mine in Kawama, Congo, in June
Photo taken by: Washington Post
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) provided over 70% of the world’s cobalt supply in 2019. In recent years, the demand has increased as cobalt is a key element in lithium ion batteries, electric vehicles, and smart phones. As demand rose, working conditions for miners decreased and health and humanitarian concerns mounted. Cobalt mining is harmful to both the environment and to the miners themselves.
Extremely low pay, dangerous working conditions, and child labor are just some of the issues of many cobalt mines in the DRC. Miners have 12 hour work days, are provided with only hand tools, and get paid $2 or less a day. They climb into hand dug tunnels often without any safety equipment. They will then spend the next several hours maneuvering in the unsupported tunnels in search of cobalt.
There is always a fear of collapsing mines. Mining cobalt releases dangerous gasses that are known to cause lung problems. For these reasons, I am against these small scale cobalt mining operations that use human exploitation for profit.
Working conditions in the world's cobalt mines are unacceptable. Decreasing the amount of cobalt needed in lithium-ion batteries, developing new cobalt free batteries, and increasing both pay and safety measures are the best, most plausible solutions to this humanitarian issue
Tesla, a major electric vehicle manufacturer, has partnered with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) the now largest battery manufacturer, on making lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. LPF batteries do not contain cobalt. According to James Frith, head of energy storage at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, "Batteries once cost over $1,000 per kWh in 2010, then $381 in 2015, and are now at around $147 per kWh." A Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a common way to measure electric energy and in equivalent to 1000 watts per one hour.
With new partners, CATL strengthens commitment to commercial vehicle electrification
Photo From: catl.com
Since these new LFP batteries do not contain cobalt, new Tesla models will cost significantly less than they do currently. "It is estimated that using LFP batteries will allow a 15-20% reduction in manufacturing costs." Current Tesla batteries that contain cobalt can cost up to 30% of the total cost of the car.
Another possible solution can be to increase safety measures and pay, or Fairphone. Fairphone is a social enterprise company that’s main goal is to reduce electronic waste (e-waste), discarded electronic material. Fairphone announced the public launch of "Fair Cobalt Alliance", which brings major industries together to address issues concerning cobalt mining from "child labor, to hazardous working conditions". It is projected to be set up in the DRC.
Others will argue that increasing pay and safety measures will cause the prices of products containing cobalt to increase. People may not be willing to pay the extra money the responsibly sourced cobalt.
The Fairphone 3 was released around Apple’s release of the iPhone 11. Although the Fairphone 3 is slightly cheaper than the iPhone 11, it is lacking in some areas including battery, display, and Performance. Some specs are listed below.
