In a recent CNN Investigation, it was found out that a significant amount of Cobalt – a chemical element used in the production of Lithium-ion batteries – is being mined using child-labor. The modern age has ushered in the use of batteries, which are widely used in cell phones and in some cars. However, it is expected that the majority of vehicles will be battery-run in the near future. Thus, Cobalt’s demand is on the rise.
The news is not new, as once in 2016, Amnesty International had hinted at the use of child labor in Cobalt mining. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has lion’s share of the world’s Cobalt deposits and many of the small mines in DRC employ child labor.
Following the revelation, all major companies making electric vehicles and mobiles have started taking action. Simply, avoiding Cobalt from child labor sources is not easy, as different materials get mixed up before dispatch. Large companies like Volkswagen, Tesla, Nissan, and others are planning to cut off the middlemen from the equation and buy directly from the miners. This move shall make it easier for the supply-chain to be free of all Cobalt being mined using child-labor.
Moreover, about half of the entire Cobalt being produced passes through China, as stated by Darton Commodities. Therefore, if restrictions are placed on suppliers, the problem can be controlled.