Cobalt Supply Chain Challenges and the Push for Ethical Mining

The video discusses the cobalt mining industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), highlighting the supply chain from artisanal miners to major companies like Glencore, and the role of China in the DRC's cobalt exports. It addresses the challenges of tracing cobalt origins due to lack of transparency, and the ethical issues surrounding child labor in mining. Legal actions against major tech companies for unethical sourcing are mentioned, along with their responses. The video also explores technological advancements and environmental efforts to find alternatives to cobalt in battery production. Finally, it raises questions about improving working conditions for miners in the DRC.

What was the primary reason for the 2009 deal between the DRC and China regarding cobalt mining?

• To improve the working conditions of miners

• To increase the export of cobalt to the U.S.

• To allow China to set up mining operations in exchange for infrastructure development

• To reduce the cost of cobalt

Why is it difficult to protest or boycott companies that use cobalt?

• Because all cobalt is ethically sourced

• Because the supply chain lacks transparency

• Because cobalt is not essential for electronics

• Because there are no alternatives to cobalt

What was the outcome of the 2019 lawsuit against major U.S. companies regarding cobalt mining?

• The companies were fined heavily

• The companies stopped using cobalt

• The lawsuit was dismissed

• The companies were banned from the DRC

What are Tesla and VW working on to address the issues with cobalt in batteries?

• Increasing cobalt imports from China

• Improving cobalt mining conditions in the DRC

• Creating cobalt-free batteries using materials found in the US

• Developing batteries that use more cobalt

What is one of the main challenges still facing the cobalt mining industry in the DRC?

• Overproduction of cobalt

• Lack of demand for cobalt

• Excessive transparency in the supply chain

• Long way to go in improving mining conditions