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.