The U.S. Department of Labor has added cobalt mined in the DRC to its list of goods produced by forced and child labor. In Kinshasa, there are fears that the decision could have significant economic repercussions for the country, which is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a key material in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and other technology products. Moreover, products using it are also considered to be “ at risk » forced labor and child labor.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
On the American side, it is specified that this measure mainly aims to raise awareness among companies of the risks linked to the exploitation of this mineral, but that the measure will not necessarily lead to a systematic blocking of goods at the borders of the United States or the European Union.
However, for the Cobalt Institute organization, it is likely that with this new classification, cobalt and derived products will be subject to more rigorous control by American and European authorities and companies, due to restrictions on imports linked to forced labor.
Kinshasa highlights ongoing reforms
For their part, Congolese authorities are calling on the United States to adopt a more balanced approach, so as not to compromise the access of companies working in Congo to international markets. They recall that approximately 73% of global cobalt production comes from DRC.
Kinshasa also highlights ongoing reforms, such as the establishment of the Authority for the regulation and control of markets for strategic mineral substances, as well as other initiatives that aim to better regulate the exploitation and trade of minerals. strategic.
Also listenMajor report – DRC: the quest for ethical cobalt
Some members of the Congolese government believe that the country is caught in the economic conflict between Beijing and Washington. In 2023, China imported nearly $19 billion worth of mining products from the DRC, and almost all of Congo’s copper and cobalt exports are destined for China.