Islands of responsibility? Corporate sourcing of artisanal cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Issue paper
, 32 pages
PDF (709.88 KB)
20436iied.pdf
Language:
English, Français
Published: September 2021
Publisher(s):
Area(s):
ISBN: 9781784319151
Product code:20436IIED

Cobalt is an essential element within supply chains driving the technological transition to electric vehicles. A majority of the world’s estimated cobalt reserves are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 10–30% of Congo’s annual production mined artisanally. Much maligned environmental, social and human rights abuses within the artisanal sector are driving corporate efforts to “clean up” and derisk supply chains. It is imperative that these efforts align with the sustainable development priorities and needs of artisanal mining communities themselves. This issue paper gathers local perspectives on the priority changes needed to improve governance and investment in the sector.

Cite this publication

Nkumba-Umpula, E., Buxton, A. and Schwartz, B. (2021). Islands of responsibility? Corporate sourcing of artisanal cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. IIED, London.
Available at https://www.iied.org/20436iied