Saturday, December 3, 2011

Hazardous cobalt mining in Congo

In the promotion of cobalt in the Congo fatal accidents and child
labor are on the agenda, according to a study by the Öko-Institut. EU
helps the workers in the small mining the value of the coveted ore
properly assessed?

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"The working conditions in the production of cobalt in the Congo
should be improved," called eco-institute expert Andreas Manhart in
the study was presented on Monday. "Therefore, both the Congolese
government, which is (...) newly elected, and the great purchasers of
the precious metal in Europe are partly responsible."
Between 67 000 and 108,000 workers, according to encourage study in
the Congo Cobalt is usually not recorded in mines. "Each year, more
than one hundred people die from landslides, Schachteinstürze or water
leaks." Also, child labor was widespread. "19000-30000 children under
15 years to build from the ore or wash and sort the minerals
conveyed."

Cobalt, among other things plugged in batteries for electric cars,
smart phones and laptops. With an annual 45,000 tons of metal covering
the Democratic Republic of Congo just over half the world's cobalt
mining operations. At least 60 percent of this amount according to the
study of workers in the small mining degraded by the simplest means,
washed, sorted and sold to middlemen in the world market.
"European customers are asked"

The Öko-Institute recommended in addition to increased security
precautions in the mines, to give the workers better access to market
information. "For today they are often systematically disadvantage in
price negotiations, because they often know the true value of projects
supported by them Erze not," it said in a statement. "For such
measures under the Government of the Congo, the European consumer of
cobalt or cobalt-containing products are in demand."
Does the EU in Preistranzparenz?

The African Union (AU) is in the "African Mining Vision" (2009)
concluded that the countries of Africa a competitive advantage in
natural resource use far been impossible. The European Parliament
considers it "the examination of measures necessary to care with which
it is, that the resource wealth of the population of resource-rich
countries will benefit," as stated in the resolution "A successful
commodity strategy for Europe" (September 2011) is called.
The EU green industry leaders Reinhard Bütikofer, which drafted the
commodity-initiative report by the European Parliament said in an
interview with EurActiv.de (September 19, 2011): "If we allow these
countries to know what resources they have and what those resources
are worth, we show fairness. " This approach will pay off for the
Europeans.
The EU parliament's resolution also urges the promotion of sustainable
mining practices. The EU and Africa are "best practices in the areas
of good governance, mine rehabilitation, health and safety, worker
protection and elimination of child labor" exchange.
Eco-Institute for boycott

The Öko-Institut advises despite the poor working conditions on a
boycott of Congolese cobalt. "The miners on site would remove a
significant market (...) so that they are either more dependent on
other sub-markets would or would lose their income entirely," says
Manhart. In addition, a general boycott would be logistically very
complicated, since many members would have to be certified in the
processing and retail chain and checked regularly.

Background
The Öko-Institute claims to be one of Europe's leading independent
research and advisory services for a sustainable future. Since its
founding in 1977, the Institute basics and strategies, such as the
vision of sustainable development can be implemented globally,
nationally and locally.

improve cobalt production

What to do with the laptops and electric cars Congo
Between 67,000 and 108 000 workers in promoting cobalt in Congo mines
usually not registered. They often work under hazardous conditions,
fatal accidents are commonplace. Each year, more than one hundred
people die from landslides, flooding or Schachteinstürze. Child labor
is also widespread: 19000-30000 Children under 15 years to build from
the ore or wash and sort the minerals conveyed.

These are key findings of a study by the Öko-Institut on the social
impact of the production of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of
Congo. "The working conditions in the production of cobalt in the
Congo should be improved," therefore calls Andreas Manhart, scientists
at the Institute for Applied Ecology. "Therefore, both the Congolese
government, which is today re-elected, and the great purchasers of the
precious metal in Europe are partly responsible."

Manufacturers worldwide need large amounts of cobalt for the
production of batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronic
devices. The Democratic Republic of Congo delivers 45,000 tons of ore
annually and covers slightly more than half the world's cobalt
production. At least 60 percent of this amount of workers in the small
mining degraded by the simplest means, washed, sorted and sold to
middlemen in the world market. If you add these products to perform
work in, so put in any laptop for about ten minutes of miners working
in South-East Congo. In modern hybrid cars, there are more than six
hours.

But the small mining is also an important economic support in the
crisis-ridden and impoverished country. It creates far more jobs than
mechanized mining methods, and fed many families. "The Government of
the Congo has already recognized this potential and initiated reforms
first," says Manhart. "However, despite initial support services for
the workers, for example, with the establishment of a separate body
for the promotion of small mines, is the way to a sustainable cobalt
mining in Congo still long."

The Öko-Institute recommended a gradual improvement of working
conditions on the ground: So to be supported will include the
formation of cooperatives of miners. It involves both simple technical
support to improve work safety, and general aspects of commodity
trading. This means that the workers get better access to information
such as current market prices of the ore. Because today they are often
systematically disadvantage in price negotiations, as they often do
not know the true value of the ore they promote.

For such measures under the Government of the Congo, the European
consumer of cobalt or cobalt-containing products are in demand. On the
one hand, companies must increasingly be measured against the
sustainability impacts of their products - even if they take place in
distant regions. On the other hand, it is also about security of
supply of so-called "critical resources". Ultimately, the terms of
trade - decide who gets to compete for the contract, the raw materials
- including working conditions and environmental impacts.

A boycott would, however, despite the poor working conditions, the
wrong way: "Such a general boycott would be logistically very
complicated on the one hand, since many members would have to be
certified in the processing and retail chain and checked regularly,"
says Manhart. "Ultimately, a trade ban would only lead to the fact
that large customers could distance themselves from the poor
conditions. The miners on the spot, however, would remove a
significant market, so they were more dependent on either of the other
sub-markets, or would lose all their income. "

The second largest country in Africa chooses

Congo has a choice - but a little hope: Everything indicates that
Joseph Kabila remains president. What does this mean for the country?

Few countries have wasted their economic potential such as the Congo -
the second largest in area in Algeria African country with 70 million
inhabitants. Could although in its bottom enormous amounts of copper,
cobalt, gold and diamonds lie dormant, and the country illuminate with
its hydroelectric plant Inga on the lower reaches of the Congo river,
large parts of the continent, every year tens of thousands of his
people die from preventable diseases, abject poverty and political
violence. Also during yesterday's parliamentary and presidential
election there were riots. Including 15 polling stations were set on
fire, eleven people died.

As early as the end of the campaign over the weekend was bloody.
Clashes between supporters of the ruling for ten years, President
Joseph Kabila (40) and opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi (78) in
the capital, Kinshasa, several people were killed. Tshisekedi was
generally noticed by an aggressive campaign style: he had only two
weeks ago from his hospital bed in South Africa prematurely proclaimed
president and urged his followers to storm the liberation of the
comrades in prison in Kinshasa. He also has his supporters already
called for protests, if he should lose.

However, the government for the escalation is anything but innocent.
Have long complained of international observers and the opposition
over the extremely sloppy preparations for the elections, which would
make even a functioning state with enormous logistical hurdles. They
should more than 60 000 polling stations have been supplied in the
country until Friday evening with ballot papers - in a country as big
as Western Europe. The late delivery of election material and the
discovery was already stuffed ballot boxes with ballot papers after
giving eyewitness also triggered the riots yesterday.

A further complication is that the policy provides a rare opportunity
to acquire wealth. No wonder that 20 000 candidates apply for the 500
seats in parliament. Kabila has to do with ten other candidates. The
incumbent is therefore already a favorite because he recently ordered
by a constitutional amendment needs a simple majority to win.
Moreover, only he had a well-functioning electoral machinery.

There are only the second democratic elections since independence from
Belgium 1960th Until 1997, the Congo was more than 30 years of
dictator Mobutu Sese Seko has ruled. Congo's people have never
benefited from the riches of their state, especially since the
President Laurent Kabila and now his son Joseph, who took over after
the assassination of his father in 2001, unabashedly similarly
exploited the country. State structures are widely studied in vain.
There are virtually no democratic institutions and little
infrastructure. Even still, less than three percent of the area of
the Congo to be used for agriculture.

However, no one expects greater progress Kabila. Thus the army of the
country is still hard to control. Unlike in Mozambique where the new
government once whistled back the soldiers after the peace with the
rebels in the barracks and integrated into civilian life, the Congo
has missed this. Accordingly, the situation remains confused in many
parts of the country, particularly in the east. Kabila's widely
expected re-election might be welcomed internationally only because
they will probably provide a modicum of stability.

The National Electoral Commission will on 6 December a preliminary
result announced. Then the candidates can raise an objection. The
final result is on 17 December have been announced.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

cobalt alloys

Asm Specialty Handbook: Nickel, Cobalt, and Their Alloys (Asm Specialty Handbook) (Asm Specialty Handbook)
  • Hardcover: 425 pages
  • Publisher: ASM International; Upd Sub edition (January 15, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0871706857
  • ISBN-13: 978-0871706850
  • Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 8.8 x 1.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds 

This book is a comprehensive guide to the compositions, properties, processing, performance, and applications of nickel and cobalt alloys. It includes all of the essential information contained in the ASM Handbook series, as well as new or updated coverage in many areas in the nickel, cobalt, and related industries. 

Sunday, December 28, 2008

cobalt cathodes

Cobalt cathodes from Zambia are available. The cobalt is going to be transported to a bonded warehouse in South Africa. Anyone interested into buying cobalt can make contact at cobalt cathodes.