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The vast majority of the world's cobalt is obtained from the Congo, something like ≈70%. Most of these mines are owned by companies in other countries, China being a major stakeholder.

In the Congo, cobalt is sourced from open-pit mines.

The workers are essentially slaves, doing back-breaking labor for menial pay. Many of them are children. This is illegal, but corrupt government officials turn a blind eye. Foreign powers do the same, knowing that their tech industries and profit margins benefit directly from these human rights violations.

Congolese people work these mines without proper equipment or safety measures, constantly in contact with and breathing toxic materials and particulates. Runoff from the mines also gets into local water sources, making them unhealthy to drink.

Always buy used electronics wherever you can. Avoid tech waste; don't upgrade unnecessarily. If you use disposable vapes, please stop. It isn't worth it.

By Caroline Kenny and Zoë Richards