While this issue is directly related with the miners themselves, it hints at the larger issue when it comes to cobalt mining: pollution and its effects on the mining communities. Reports have revealed that the children of miners disproportionately suffer from limb abnormalities, cleft palates and neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Researchers studied children born inside and outside of DRC’s mining region and found that the children of miners were at significantly higher risk for birth defects. Along with this disease, cobalt mining can cause damaging skin conditions, not to mention that the intensity of the labor itself can cause health concerns on its own.Įxposure to cobalt harms the health of the miners as well as their children at home. The disease, more commonly known as “ hard metal lung disease” is associated with respiratory sensitization, asthma, decreased pulmonary function and shortness of breath. One of the main concerns is pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by the inhalence of cobalt particles due to long-term exposure. This number is even more shocking when compared to the estimated total of 255,000 miners in the DRC.Ĭobalt mining is an extremely hazardous occupation that can lead to several health conditions. There are an estimated 40,000 children as young as six mining cobalt in the DRC. Due to high levels of poverty and expensive schooling options, many children end up working in the mines to support their families. Jobs in this industry have severe health hazards and to make matters worse, many children work in the industry. Many workers are needed to sustain the high level of cobalt output in the DRC. Since 18% to 30% of DRC’s cobalt production is artisanal and does not utilize heavy machinery or large-scale mining operations, extracting the metal is extremely labor-intensive. Child labor, environmental destruction, health, and economic issues are associated with this important process. However, the mining industry in DRC is riddled with concerns. According to a report made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the DRC produced 64% of global cobalt in 2018. Cobalt is extremely important to modern day medicine and technology, but sourcing the metal is a complicated issue.Ĭobalt is primarily sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Radioactive cobalt is used as a sterilizer for medical equipment and in radiation therapy and most notably, cobalt is used in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which have spiked in-demand due to a surge in electric vehicle production and renewable energy projects. It can be used in art and manufacturing as both a chemical agent and as an alloy when mixed with other metals. ![]() Cobalt may not be the world’s most glamorous material, but it’s recently become one of the most desirable metals because of its unique properties.Ĭobalt is a hard, brittle metal that’s extremely versatile.
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