Online Exhibition Forced Labour - Chapter Three: DRC

Online Exhibition

by MEP Anna Cavazzini

FORCED LABOUR Chapter Three: Democratic Republic Congo Photos by Paula Bronstein

Worst forms of child labour in cobalt mining in the DRC Paula Bronstein The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s major exporter of cobalt, a raw material that is used in various electric devices such as batteries for computers and mobile phones. Child labour in the cobalt mines in the DRC is widespread and takes place under very harsh conditions: for very long hours, for little pay, in extremely hot temperatures and without protection against the exposure to high levels of cobalt.

Situations like this are considered to be “the worst forms of child labour”, which applies when children do hazardous work that can have profound negative consequences on their health or development. There are also reports that in many cases, children are being forced to work under threats and physical abuse in these cobalt mines.

Cobalt KOLWEZI, DRC: Cobalt is seen in the raw form after it was extracted from an artisanal mine, using manually intensive methods working with hand tools.

Photo by Paula Bronstein, 2019

KOLWEZI, DRC: A massive Chinese mine takes over the landscape in Kolwezi.

Photos by Paula Bronstein, 2019

Child labour is widespread in cobalt mining in the DRC. The children’s exposure to the cobalt without any protection can have long lasting negative health impacts.

Photo by Paula Bronstein, 2019

A typical artisanal mine, small scale mining takes over the landscape of a neighborhood.

Photo by Paula Bronstein, 2019