Mr Siddharth Kara

This project will provide a comprehensive study of conditions in artisanal cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including prevalence estimates of forced labour and child labour, supply chain tracing to the western consumer and public health and environmental impacts. Cobalt is used in the manufacture of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that are found in almost every smartphone, tablet, laptop, and electric vehicle in the world. Approximately 70% of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the DR Congo, often in extremely hazardous conditions and at great harm to the environment. This project will result in the publication of a detailed research and policy report through the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham.