Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/inside-the-mine-driving-the-tech-revolution-and-igniting-conflict-in-congo/
Deep beneath the surface of the Democratic Republic of Congo lies a sprawling mining operation that has become a critical source of minerals essential to the global technology industry. Yet, as Reuters reveals in an exclusive investigation, this mine’s output does not only power smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles worldwide-it also helps finance armed rebel groups that continue to destabilize the region. The complex interplay between international demand, local conflict, and economic interests exposes the often-overlooked human and ethical costs behind the devices that have become indispensable to modern life.
Inside the Heart of Congo’s Cobalt Mines Revealing the High Stakes Behind Global Tech Supply Chains
Deep beneath Congo’s dense forests, cobalt miners work relentlessly in hazardous conditions, extracting a mineral critical to the global technology boom. This cobalt – powering smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy batteries – is transported from informal sites rife with unsafe labor practices and environmental degradation. Despite the soaring demand fueled by tech giants, much of this extraction operates under the shadow of illicit networks. Local armed groups have entrenched themselves in mining territories, leveraging control over cobalt supply routes to finance conflicts and maintain influence, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability in the region.
The high stakes extend beyond the mines themselves. Supply…
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Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-08-15 19:02:00
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