Human Rights

Your mobile phone runs on Cobalt from DR Congo

It is highly probable that the battery of your mobile phone is sourced from cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an estimated 40,000 children are employed in cobalt mines.



Your mobile phone runs on Cobalt from DR Congo

It is highly probable that the battery of your mobile phone is sourced from cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an estimated 40,000 children are employed in cobalt mines.


What are the chances the battery of your mobile phone is sourced from cobalt from mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)? This is due to the DRC being the world’s largest producer of the metal used in the production of lithium-ion batteries.

Cobalt is an essential element in the construction of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in smartphones and other small electronic devices. Its presence is integral to the operation of these devices, providing the necessary energy to power them. Without cobalt, lithium-ion batteries would not be able to store and deliver the energy required for these devices to function. As such, cobalt is a crucial component of the technology that has become so integral to our daily lives.



CONTINUE READING...


Enjoy unlimited access now.



To get full access to this article,
simply become a member of PUBLIC SQUARE now.
By doing so, you will be supporting
our independent journalism.



MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:

£3/month ∙ £5/month ∙ £7/month

You can cancel anytime.


BECOME A MEMBER



Already a member?
Sign in here!




BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:

✅ Read exclusive member-only articles
✅ Read our daily review of the UK front pages
✅ Receive every new article by email
✅ Access all our articles
✅ Get Special Discounts with our partners
✅ Join the conversation: Comment our articles
Access our archives
✅ More importantly: Support independent journalism and keep the magazine going