Cobalt Institute Hosts Roundtable in Kinshasa to Address Concerns Over Child Labor in Congolese Cobalt Production
The Cobalt Institute, a global trade association representing the entire cobalt industry and value chain, held a roundtable discussion on Thursday, October 17, in Kinshasa.
The focus was on the potential inclusion of Congolese cobalt in the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2024 list of goods produced by child or forced labor.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Godard Motemona, actively participated in the roundtable, which brought together various stakeholders from both the public and private mining sectors.
Notably, Chanda Uluca, the Division Chief for the African Zone of the U.S. Department of Labor, joined the discussions online.
During the discussions, Vice Minister Motemona condemned the international perception of the cobalt industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing that it is often based on misunderstandings and inaccurate information.
He highlighted the efforts made under the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi to promote a responsible and sustainable mining sector.
Motemona pointed out that the decision to potentially include Congolese cobalt on the U.S. list seems to be based on isolated cases, failing to reflect the broader realities of the DRC’s mining industry.
Experts in the sector criticized the methodology used to reach this conclusion, noting that it overlooked visits to industrial companies engaged in cobalt and other mineral extraction, which adhere to internationally recognized standards of ethical practices and working conditions.
At the conclusion of the discussions, Vice Minister Motemona expressed confidence that the Cobalt Institute would effectively advocate for the DRC by highlighting informed data and the ongoing efforts to ensure ethical and responsible cobalt production.
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries, as well as in aerospace and defense industries.
