DRC Reports Decline in Child Labor in Cobalt Mines Amid Controversy
In its report published on December 31, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CNDH) highlighted a decrease in the number of children working in cobalt mines in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces.
However, the reported figures have sparked controversy. Prior to 2019, it was estimated that 360,000 children were working in these mines, according to organizations such as UNICEF. In contrast, the Congolese government reported a much lower figure of 14,850 child laborers.
The CNDH, after consultation with Mines.cd, now estimates that the total number of children working in mines in both provinces stands at 16,845.
The CNDH attributes this “decrease” to ongoing awareness campaigns and government actions aimed at eliminating child labor. The Commission also notes that the root causes of child labor in mining remain poverty and underdevelopment in local households.
The CNDH has called for further investigations, in collaboration with other organizations, to address the issue more effectively.
