A GUIDE TO SUPPORTING A FREE CONGO
What is happening in the Congo?
Congo is the world’s top producer of cobalt, an essential mineral in producing lithium-ion batteries and many other electronics. About 70% of the world’s cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but much is extracted in inhumane conditions. Congolese people, including thousands of children, have been subjected to human trafficking, slavery, debt bondage, and toxic and hazardous working conditions to mine cobalt and other green energy products for the tech supply chain.
Cobalt is toxic to breathe in and touch, yet people are subjected to mining without the proper tools and equipment, often being forced to use their bare hands. Cancers, miscarriages, respiratory illnesses, headaches, and painful skin conditions are common among mining communities lacking protective equipment. Mining tunnel collapses pose another danger, burying miners, including children, alive.
What can we do?
Cobalt and other minerals mined from the DRC are being exploited by large tech companies like Google, Tesla, Microsoft, Apple, and Dell. The biggest way we can show up for the Congolese people is to halt our overconsumption of technology.
Avoid buying electronics you don’t need: consider whether upgrading your phone, laptop, or car is necessary.
Recycling or reusing our old electronics rather than throwing them away can also prevent the need to mine new cobalt.
Here’s a checklist you can use to help you evaluate your own spending in support:
Is this item necessary? YES or NO
Does this item have a direct connection to slave labor in Congo? YES or NO
Is there a better alternative to this item? YES or NO
Were you recently influenced to purchase this item (ads, social media, etc.)? YES or NO
Follow, Support & Donate
Below are organizations dedicated to supporting the Congolese people. Follow for more information.
@gomactif
@panzifoundation
@iheartafricadotorg
@congofoodweek
@congoliciousfoundation
@congofriends
LEARN MORE
Here are some links with more information about the situation
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara
https://migrantsrights.org.uk/2023/11/07/silent-genocides/
https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/03/congo-peace-means-halt-brutal-illegal-mining
