Responsible Sourcing
Growing demand for cobalt – driven by its crucial role in enabling technologies and powering a just energy transition – means that it is ever more important that this critical mineral is sourced responsibly with consideration for human rights, worker safety and environmental sustainability.
%
of cobalt is mined as a by-product
Source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence 2024
Over 75% of the world’s cobalt is produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – the world’s leading source of mined cobalt – in the two southern provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga, known as the “Copperbelt”.
These operations are capital-intensive, highly mechanised, and characterised by high production rates, typically managed by large or global companies. They can make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of host countries.
Economic
contribution
Employment
opportunities
Infrastructure
development
Community
empowerment
Environmental
stewardship
Social
welfare
Work
safety
A minor portion of cobalt production in the DRC is derived from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). With the increase in global mined supply, the share of artisanal supply in the cobalt value chain has significantly reduced.
Cobalt Institute members operating in the DRC do not employ or incentivise artisanal or child labour in their operations or supply chains. However, they acknowledge that ASM continues to coexist with industrial mining in the region. As such, their focus is on responsibly managing the challenges arising from this coexistence. This includes investing in community engagement initiatives that address local issues in the ASM sector, such as projects aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, female empowerment, and alternative livelihoods. Our members also support multi-stakeholder approaches—collaborating with governments, international development organisations, and civil society—to drive continuous improvement in the ASM cobalt sector.
Artisanal cobalt mining and child labour are closely linked to poverty, corruption and the lack of alternative job opportunities in the region.
Not all artisanal miners want to pursue alternative livelihoods so ASM can be an important economic opportunity for some members of local communities, which they should be able to access with assurances for their safety and dignity.
Responsible mining practices are a priority for the cobalt industry. Collective action is necessary to drive continuous improvement in the ASM cobalt sector.
Child
labour
Crime
Hazardous working
conditions
Corruption
Poverty
Unfair trading
practices
Responsible and traceable cobalt from industrial mining is not only possible but verifiable.
The cobalt industry is establishing greater transparency in the value chain and undertaking third-party assurance of responsible sourcing approaches in accordance with international standards.