“Cobalt Red” delves into the heart of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and the world’s tech-driven economy, focusing on Kolwezi, a unique city that harbors about a quarter of the planet’s cobalt reserves. Kolwezi, likened to a Wild West frontier, has undergone extensive environmental degradation due to the explosive growth of mining activities. The landscape is marred by massive craters, open-pit mines, and denuded forests, with mining operations consuming vast tracts of land and significantly altering the local environment. This mining boom has attracted thousands of migrants annually, creating a bustling yet challenging environment where misery often accompanies profit. Despite official population figures, the actual number of residents is significantly higher, stretching the city’s resources thin and transforming it into a sprawl of slums and makeshift settlements.
The city’s infrastructure and environment bear the scars of relentless mining, with pollution levels making it the most contaminated city in the southeastern provinces. The quest for cobalt has transformed Kolwezi, erasing its green spaces and rendering arable land extinct. Artisanal mining, particularly in areas like Kasulo and Mutoshi, has proliferated, with companies attempting to regulate this sector through model sites. However, these efforts are juxtaposed against the backdrop of historical violence and contemporary conflicts over control of the mineral riches, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power and the impact on local communities.
Governance and corruption issues have also plagued Kolwezi, with allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement of mining revenues. The narrative touches on the author’s personal experiences in attempting to navigate the complex socio-political landscape of Kolwezi, shedding light on the challenges of addressing the detrimental effects of mining on the local population, especially on vulnerable groups like women and girls in artisanal mining. The exploration of Kolwezi’s mining sites and the interactions with government officials and local communities reveal the intricate web of interests that define the city’s fraught relationship with its mineral wealth, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of progress and exploitation in the heart of Africa’s cobalt belt.
Kapata and surrounding villages near Kolwezi play a critical role in supporting the artisanal mining that underpins much of the electric vehicle revolution, despite lacking basic amenities like reliable electricity, clean water, and medical facilities. Kapata, founded in the 1970s to accommodate KCC mine workers, now serves as a gateway to extensive artisanal mining areas. The narrative follows a visit to Kapata, highlighting the stark contrast between the mining industry’s prosperity and the villagers’ hardships. It reveals the village’s transformation into a hub for both residential life and small businesses amidst the backdrop of environmental degradation and precarious living conditions.
The story of Lubuya, a resident of Kapata, offers a poignant look into the human side of artisanal mining. Despite the hardships faced by her family, including the loss of her husband and daughter, and the responsibility of raising her grandchildren who work in the mines, Lubuya’s account sheds light on the resilience and survival strategies of those living in mining communities. Her reflections on the past prosperity during the Gécamines era versus the struggles following the arrival of foreign mining companies and the subsequent shift to artisanal mining underscore the complex socio-economic dynamics at play. Lubuya criticizes both the historical and current leadership of the Congo, lamenting the impact of foreign exploitation and corruption on the local population’s well-being.
Her skepticism about the potential for change, despite the interviewer’s intentions to document and possibly ameliorate the conditions of artisanal mining, underscores a deep-seated mistrust and resignation among the people of Kolwezi. This narrative captures the essence of the challenges facing these communities, juxtaposing their critical role in the global tech economy with their marginalization and the dire conditions under which they live and work.
The journey to Lake Malo, adjacent to the KCC open-pit mine, reveals a bustling hub of artisanal mining activity, where the relentless pursuit of cobalt unfolds amid environmental and human challenges. This small lake, whose size fluctuates with the seasons, becomes a focal point for thousands of individuals engaged in the extraction and processing of cobalt ore. Despite the discovery of hazardous uranium levels, the area thrums with energy, as miners and washers, integral to the cobalt supply chain, navigate the terrain’s dangers and the oversight of depot bosses like Chief Djamba.
Securing permission to explore this microcosm, the narrative unveils a complex ecosystem of labor and survival. Artisanal miners, including children, extract ore from the formidable dirt walls of the mine, a practice undeterred by minimal security measures or the potential for harm. Women and children, central to this process, wash the excavated stones in Lake Malo’s polluted waters, preparing them for sale at nearby depots, predominantly controlled by Chinese agents.
The conditions at Lake Malo and the KCC mine are stark. Miners, including young boys like Tambwe, navigate perilous paths to contribute to their families’ livelihoods, foregoing education for the chance to earn a meager income. The environmental degradation is palpable, with the lake’s toxic waters posing significant health risks to those who rely on it for their work. Complaints of exploitation, underpayment, and abuse by security forces underscore the harsh realities faced by those at the bottom of the cobalt supply chain.
Through vivid descriptions of the landscape, the individuals, and their interactions, the narrative captures the harsh beauty and brutal reality of cobalt mining in the Congo. The story of Lake Malo is a microcosm of the broader issues plaguing the region: environmental destruction, exploitation, and the human cost of sustaining the global demand for cobalt.
The exploration of Lake Malo’s mining activities extends into deeper interviews, revealing personal stories of hardship and systemic issues in the DRC’s cobalt mining sector. Interviews, conducted in more secure environments, shed light on the perilous conditions faced by miners, exemplified by Archange, a young boy paralyzed due to a mining accident. These narratives underscore the physical dangers inherent in artisanal mining, particularly for children.
Discussions with industry insiders reveal complexities surrounding the mining sector’s economic dynamics, including allegations of financial misconduct by NGOs and exploitation by foreign mining companies. The narrative delves into the nuanced interplay between local and international stakeholders, highlighting the DRC’s struggle to manage and benefit from its mineral wealth amidst accusations of corruption and financial manipulation.
Investigations into the formal and informal mining sectors uncover discrepancies in revenue reporting and distribution, suggesting systemic issues with tax collection and allocation. This financial opacity raises questions about the equitable distribution of mining profits and the potential for these funds to improve local infrastructure and living conditions.
The account of artisanal mining in the DRC, through personal stories and economic analysis, paints a complex picture of resource wealth juxtaposed against human suffering and systemic exploitation, calling for transparency and reform in how mining revenues are managed and distributed.
The journey to Glencore’s Mashamba East mine unveils stark realities of labor and exploitation in Congolese cobalt mining. The investigation highlights the reliance on Chinese workers due to mistrust and cost-cutting, disadvantaging local labor and raising human rights concerns. Artisanal mining, particularly by children under the control of FARDC soldiers, is rampant, with recruits working under dire conditions for meager pay. The narrative of Kabola, a child laborer shot for attempting to sell cobalt independently, underscores the brutal enforcement of exploitative practices. Interviews reveal a pattern of child labor orchestrated by soldiers, with injuries common and earnings minimal, exposing a grim picture of exploitation and violence in the pursuit of cobalt, crucial for global tech industries.
The dire conditions of artisanal miners in the Congo, especially children, are starkly illuminated through the harrowing story of Elodie, a 15-year-old orphan entangled in the brutal cycle of exploitation in cobalt mining. Child labor, hazardous work environments, and exploitation are rampant, with accidents frequently unreported and the victims’ families left to cope alone. Elodie’s life, marked by the loss of her parents to mining accidents and her subsequent descent into prostitution for survival, epitomizes the human cost of the global demand for cobalt, used in technology and electric vehicles. The systemic exploitation, compounded by international companies’ detachment from their supply chains’ realities, underscores a global indifference to the miners’ plight. Elodie’s existence, a testament to generations of exploitation in the Congo, reflects a history of suffering linked directly to the resources beneath the soil, mirroring a cycle of torment passed from one generation to the next, with the international community’s demand for cobalt continuing to fuel this cycle of exploitation and misery.
In the neighborhood of Kanina, near the industrial copper-cobalt mine COMMUS and Lake Golf, artisanal mining and cobalt washing by women and children replicate the harsh conditions seen elsewhere. Teenager Geany’s account highlights the routine of digging and washing cobalt, with soldiers and traders exploiting their labor. Despite the area’s heavy security by FARDC soldiers, the firsthand observation at Lake Golf reveals the grim reality of hundreds of women and children working in dire conditions, emphasizing the systemic exploitation in cobalt supply chains. Attempts to interact with the miners, like with the orphan Aimée, showcase the deep trauma and distress these conditions inflict on children. The narrative shifts to the dangerous influence of Lebanese traders, particularly Arran, highlighting a network of exploitation and money laundering linked to global criminal organizations, including Hezbollah. Conversations with Lebanese trader Hani reveal the pervasive acceptance of these exploitative practices as a necessary evil for profit in the cobalt trade, underscoring the deep-seated corruption and indifference to human suffering in the industry.
In Kanina, near the COMMUS mine owned by Zijin Mining and Gécamines, pollution and child labor are severe issues. Residents suffer from dust and gas pollution, while children sort valuable cobalt from waste outside the mine, a practice seemingly tolerated to supplement high-grade ore for industrial mining. The children, working in relatively safer conditions compared to other sites, earn minimal amounts for their labor. However, a tragic incident where two boys were killed by COMMUS security for attempting to sell cobalt independently highlights the dangers and violence associated with mining operations. Subsequent reports of beatings and riots reinforce the perilous environment, drawing parallels to historical abuses in the Congo.
Musompo, a major cobalt market in the DRC, aggregates artisanally mined cobalt through depots, often without regard for mining conditions or worker safety. Prices vary significantly across depots, disadvantaging artisanal miners. Observations at Musompo reveal complex transactions between négociants (traders) and depot bosses, primarily Chinese, with cobalt entering the global supply chain in opaque conditions. Négociants play a crucial role, sometimes sharing profits with miners, but the system is fraught with exploitation and extortion by military forces. Depot prices are influenced by various factors, including market forces and extortion, highlighting the miners’ vulnerability. Conversations with depot operators reveal the complexities and opportunities within the cobalt trade, underscoring the broader challenges of ethical sourcing and economic disparity in global resource markets.
The CHEMAF model site in Mutoshi, aimed at ethical artisanal mining, partnered with NGO Pact and funded by tech giants, falls short of expectations. Despite policies for worker safety and traceability, practices on the ground reveal gaps: ineffective barriers, underage workers, and unmet safety protocols. The site’s cobalt, intended for traceable supply chains, is mixed with untagged sources, undermining ethical claims. Pact’s involvement appears limited post-setup, challenging the site’s model status and highlighting the complexities of ethical sourcing in the cobalt supply chain.
Interviews with artisanal miners reveal mixed experiences at CHEMAF’s Mutoshi site. Payment delays and reduced wages due to low cobalt prices push miners to source externally, compromising the model’s integrity. Yet, improvements in safety and sanitation, especially for women, highlight potential benefits. Discrepancies between Pact’s claims and onsite realities suggest systemic issues, undermining supply chain transparency. Despite positive changes, operational challenges and eventual closure signal missed opportunities for sustainable artisanal mining practices.
Off-site interviews with Mutoshi mine workers reveal payment issues and operational challenges leading to worker attrition. Some miners buy cobalt externally to compensate for low on-site yields. Women appreciate the reduced harassment and improved sanitation, seeing these as significant benefits despite lower earnings. Discrepancies between reported conditions and actual practices, including child labor and untagged cobalt, undermine the model’s integrity. However, enhancements in safety and health for female workers suggest potential for dignified artisanal mining. Despite initial successes, the closure of the CHEMAF artisanal mining project after disassociation with Pact indicates a missed opportunity for sustainable improvement.
The CDM model mine in Kasulo, Kolwezi, echoes the chaotic energy of historical gold rushes, transformed by the discovery of high-grade cobalt. The area’s transformation into a mining site led to the displacement of locals, with Congo DongFang Mining (CDM) establishing a purchasing monopoly and artisanal mining zone, amidst conflicts of interest and inadequate compensation for displaced households. Despite promises of improvement and safety under the artisanal mining cooperative COMIKU, issues persist, including underpayment, debt bondage, and unsafe working conditions, especially for the numerous underage and inadequately protected workers. The CDM model site, despite its potential, is marred by exploitation and fails to meet its purported standards of safety and fairness, echoing broader challenges in artisanal mining practices.
The CDM model site’s appeal to artisanal miners, despite its exploitative conditions, stems from the scarcity of viable digging sites in Kasulo and a relative perception of safety due to some tunnels having supports. Interviews reveal a complex landscape where miners accept lower prices for the assurance of a place to work, amidst the dangers of tunnel collapses. A meeting with officials from major artisanal mining cooperatives highlights the purported benefits of cooperatives in protecting miners from exploitation, despite evidence of their role in perpetuating it. Discussions also critique the exploitation by foreign companies and local governance failures, acknowledging the government’s mismanagement of mining revenues and the need for more accessible education to prevent child labor. The narrative exposes systemic issues in the DRC’s artisanal mining sector, including exploitation, safety hazards, and the impact of inadequate public services on vulnerable populations.
David Livingstone, a European explorer deeply committed to Africa, died in Zambia in 1873, and his body was carried to England for a state burial, leaving his heart in Africa. He hoped commerce and Christianity would end the slave trade, a vision that ironically led to immense suffering, especially in the Congo. Kasulo, a neighborhood in Congo, epitomizes the devastating impact of cobalt mining, with desperate diggers risking their lives daily for meager earnings, in stark contrast to the fortunes made by CEOs of companies benefiting from cobalt. The story of Ikolo, a former auto repair shop owner turned miner, illustrates the dire choices faced by residents. Despite the dangers of tunnel digging, including the constant threat of collapses and suffocation, Ikolo and others see no alternative but to risk their lives for the possibility of a better future for their families, highlighting the tragic cost of the global demand for cobalt.
The exploration deepens into Kasulo’s chaotic landscape, a place marked by desperation and the pursuit of cobalt. Amidst a backdrop of makeshift shelters, commerce, and the remnants of daily survival, the narrative uncovers a microcosm of economic activity centered around cobalt mining. Amid this, a visit to a local brothel reveals the stark exploitation and grim realities faced by women and girls, highlighting the social costs of the mining frenzy. The story then shifts to a group of miners, led by Mutombo, whose dreams and daily dangers encapsulate the collective struggle of Kasulo’s residents. Through their sponsorship system, these miners bear the brunt of risk for meager rewards, a stark contrast to the vast wealth their labor generates up the chain. Mutombo’s personal story, ambitions, and the grave risks involved in tunnel mining underscore the harsh gamble of life in Kasulo, where dreams of a better future are pursued at the peril of imminent death. The narrative closes on a poignant note, capturing the fragile hope and relentless spirit of the miners, as Mutombo ventures once more into the depths, embodying the complex interplay of survival, aspiration, and the looming shadow of mortality.
Mutombo’s cobalt, once mined, is sold at depots like the one managed by Xi, a Chinese national, under watchful soldiers and amidst cultural and economic tensions between Chinese and Congolese communities. These depots, critical in the cobalt supply chain, reveal the complex interplay of global demand, local exploitation, and stark cultural differences. Xi, stationed far from home under misrepresented conditions, mirrors the miners’ sacrifices, albeit from a safer, yet still challenging, vantage point. The narrative also delves into the profound human cost borne by the Congolese, exemplified by Jolie’s harrowing loss, underscoring the relentless, often devastating pursuit of cobalt in Kasulo—a pursuit marred by tragedy, exploitation, and a haunting quest for survival and dignity amidst the scramble for resources.
In Kasulo, tunnel collapses often trap miners underground, leaving bodies unrecovered and forcing families to live with the haunting presence of their buried loved ones. Seventeen-year-old Lucien, a survivor of such a collapse, bears physical and emotional scars, with shattered legs and a future in jeopardy. His family’s situation deteriorates as they face financial ruin, unable to afford necessary medical treatments or education for the younger children. This tragic reality underscores the dire working conditions and the perilous nature of cobalt mining, revealing the human cost of the global demand for this vital resource.