Blood Cobalt: The Congo's Dangerous and Deadly Green Energy Mines | Foreign Correspondent

The world is embracing renewable technologies but how much do we know about the metals that are powering this green revolution?
This story exposes the shocking truth about the mining of cobalt, a metal crucial to making the batteries in electric cars, laptops and mobile phones.
The world’s richest deposits of cobalt are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the poorest countries on earth. It produces around 70% of world output.
This buried treasure has lured hundreds of thousands of Congolese to work in the country’s mines, big and small.
But mining is dangerous, corruption and violence is rife and though child labour has been banned, it’s common.
In recent years, the cobalt trade has been taken over by Chinese companies which operate or finance 15 of the 19 big industrial mines. Locals say that under their management, low safety standards have dropped even further.
“Unfortunately people even are dying for lack of safety,” says an employee of one big company.
Australian reporter Michael Davie travels to this mineral-rich country to investigate the industry - from the major Chinese-owned companies to the conditions of the small-scale workers on the fringes of the big mines.
It’s a dangerous mission and Davie is followed, harassed and arrested by mine and government security officials.
What he uncovers is shocking.
The day he arrives there’s been a mine cave-in, killing at least six miners.
He sees miners tunnel 25 metres underground with no safety equipment.
He meets primary school-age children handling cobalt, a toxic metal which can cause serious health effects.
He meets a mother whose 13-year-old son has just been killed on the fringes of a mine whose embankment collapsed. Companies in the Congo are obliged to make sure they don't harm the communities around them.
He secures a video which shows a man being beaten by a Congolese soldier as mine managers watch on, laughing.
And he interviews a whistleblower who accuses the Chinese mine he works for of covering up the deaths of co-workers. He also says the country isn’t benefitting from the boom.
“There is no investment coming back in terms of environment, infrastructure…We don't have road facilities, we don't have communication. There is nothing.”
But there’s hope amidst the gloom. Davie meets the Good Shepherd Sisters, nuns who’ve set up a school near the mines and educated thousands of children.
“If the children are given education, if schools are spread all over and every child goes to school, then we are redeeming this country,” says one nun.
This is a rare insight into a powerful industry which operates a dangerous business with seeming impunity. All of us use the end products.
About Foreign Correspondent:
Foreign Correspondent is the prime-time international public affairs program on Australia's national broadcaster, ABC-TV. We produce half-hour duration in-depth reports for broadcast across the ABC's television channels and digital platforms. Since 1992, our teams have journeyed to more than 170 countries to report on war, natural calamity and social and political upheaval - through the eyes of the people at the heart of it all.
Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC’s Online Terms of Use www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3). This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation KZbin channel

[@MrOscarin97]

what's also scary is that this video was posted 10 months ago and got so little attention.

[@humanity4963]

People : if I do not see it , I do not feel guilty when I buy smart phones and smart cars .

[@Mr-my5ji]

Algorithms trying to hide it ...

[@imascrew6218]

oh main steam media where art thou?..... oh you you;re part of the problem....

[@spoolcdn]

Now that the Books author was on JRE, they cany hide from this now

[@JonDoe-gi5zf]

Thats because everyone is fanboying out over Elon musk and waiting in line for the latest crApple phone

[@freddiefresh6644]

This documentary should have millions of views. Great job highlighting this sad and underreported situation

[@mazeratifox7208]

You know why it doesn't? Because ppl don't care about ppl that don't look like them. Stuff like this happens on the continent every day 🤦🏾‍♂️. I honestly wish i could do something about it.

[@IsabelleMonette]

YES! let's share this all over the world

[@wallybingbang4350]

The trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is big news. Much more important news for the moronic masses. It is a distraction from what is really happening in the world by government controlled main stream media hiding what everyone should be seeing. Why bother watching Sky News ?

[@rossib6974]

Why millions !? Cos made lies by 5 eye countries ? How come your lot never cared for 60 years with plus 10 million Congolese killed in your and European countries caused cases till Chinese and Russians went into Congo few years ago ! .Apple, Micra soft alike never done anything which is in contradiction to Western interests no matter how many lives are destroyed and people are killed as result of .Crocodile tears by an Australian in fight agsinst China !

[@poopsmcgee4693]

It's Africa, we don't care about Africa...

[@nialljohn510]

It pains me to see how much the continent of Africa suffers more than anywhere else in the world my prayers always with the people 🙏

[@James-gr5mx]

they are being exploited the chinese own all the mines in the congo. they are making billions while abusing these workers with no masks, boots and vehicles. they also get 1 dollar a day instead of 50 dollars. the congo president is corrupt how can you sell mines to make yourself rich but not your country. My friend lives in the congo his brother earns 1 to 2 dollars a day and suffer from health issues.

[@tfGypsyKing]

It's really sad but It's only possible cause of the crazy corruption there, of course many foreign people take advantage of it and that's obviously bad as well but it's the own corrupt government/people who make this all possible

[@zosothezephead837]

Corrupt governments whose leaders' brains are yet to fully develop. Give Zimbabwe and S Africa back to the 'indigenous' people's government and watch them decay. No argument.

[@1x0x]

africa is massive though.. there are booming cities all over the place

[@asmosisyup2557]

maybe stop using the devices made with this slavery, prayers while you continue to use devices tainted with blood are not helping anyone.

[@JRo-ld9db]

My heart aches for these people. Especially the woman who lost her son. May God bless them, protect them, and give them peace.

[@240sxdriftkingable]

Can't believe this world. We have been planted like seeds and grown and helped to be as advanced as we are and they say slavery is illegal. But it's very real all over. Even in most of the u.s. everyone is slaves. More money less time for family. Not time for dating or kids. If you get a degree you sell your soul and loose your freedom it's sad but we can find the light and happiness as we come together is the comments here and grow and we all just don't trust anyone but yourself and let's all set positive examples for people to follow and make all the creeps and bad people stand out se we know who they are. Can't believe the congo...and Maui everyone lost their houses to ashes some their dad built by hand. And they got cash offers of the lowest amount for all yhe properties and the military shut it all down and they didn't turn on alarms there they got the best alarsin the world for evacuation and weren't even used. People were running whole shoes melting to the floor guys ! It's a land grab. No locals want to leave and someone is forcing them too. The fires did burn at a mile a minute tho. Just all odd. The blockade they won't allow anyone to see and military is there it's just crazy

[@Remy-hf6bt]

welcome to africa

[@jimwalker76]

I'm here after watching Joe Rogan's Podcast about this. Thank you to all the men and women that are trying to stop this travesty.

[@kingmoody7559]

Same

[@Mack_Dingo]

Don't worry the 'Stop Oil, Soup Throwers' are on the Cobalt's side

[@theresaslusher4305]

Same as well.

[@theresaslusher4305]

@@Mack_Dingo please explain:()

[@2008_suzuki_apv]

Same

[@javan_o_ekhalie]

Thanks Joe Rogan for your pod episode. Had to search about this sad truth

[@ShanePodClips]

I just did the same thing as you because of Joe Rogan and here we are 🙏❤️ it's so sad 🥺

[@calebmatthews2026]

Same. It’s so complicated…. If they don’t allow the artisanal miners to sell cobalt… how else do they survive?

[@721MrG]

Same here, thanks JR. I had to put this comment from cell phone, which really made me feel bad 😕

[@MegaGman61]

Yeah, I heard about this there too.

[@basedaf5580]

everybody's known this for years. just doesn't get reported

[@Chanelnumber7394]

For you to go all the way to shoot this documentary I can imagine how passionate you must be about what you thank you so much for going through all that to provide us with such valuable information

[@Robbierob90]

I'm here as well after watching Joe's podcast this is heart wrenching and sickening please lord help these people 🙏

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children

[@silox250]

Dont ask your fictive lord, do something yourself

[@ClaytonBigsby01]

Why can’t these people help themselves ???there’s way more of them then there are the Chinese they could take over these mines if they wanted to but alas I don’t think they have the brain power to operate them😂 I mean the Chinese are using Congo soldiers for security they could easily do a hostile takeover but like I said brain power there’s not a lot to go around in Africa😂

[@ClaytonBigsby01]

@dee Haw Why can’t these people help themselves ???there’s way more of them then there are the Chinese they could take over these mines if they wanted to but alas I don’t think they have the brain power to operate them😂 I mean the Chinese are using Congo soldiers for security they could easily do a hostile takeover but like I said brain power there’s not a lot to go around in Africa😂

[@sxybasturd]

The device in your hand is the problem .

[@osl2075]

70% of the world's cobalt producing the richest products in the world from one of the poorest countries in the world! It's absolute absurdity

[@DB-jj8qn]

if you dont like it donate your paycheck to them, or even better go work there yourself.

[@vincentmackinnon3601]

@@DB-jj8qn stop yor uncareing from inusulteing others and don't buy into it help and speard awareness

[@TheGodParticle]

I sometimes think that this world is rotten to the core, even to the point that I'll be glad when I'm gone. Cheers sir.

[@zypherus6876]

@@DB-jj8qnwould you not be outraged if someone found a mine in your backyard and you got none of the profits?

[@dfinma]

15:21 The mine manager says the state is rich. I really want to know what he means by this. The per capita GDP is $1300 which doesn't sound rich to me so he either doesn't understand this (or I don't), or he's saying there there is enough money for public schools or there are other reasons why there are no public schools. The reporter should have asked more questions.

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

I loved that no matter how bleak things are, that little boy was dancing and playing on the way home from the mine with his mom. Made my heart smile just for a moment.

[@isabellavlodar6620]

I thought the exact same thing

[@gustavoflores6458]

A bribe to go pay respects to your dead sons grave I have seen it all now that’s so low from the chief where is your Morals and standards man

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

@@gustavoflores6458 I’m sorry you’re so jaded. If you can’t see that children just want to be kids, and want to play you must have nothing inside.

[@mannystr2639]

Not like he's able to comprehend how atrocious their living conditions really are

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

@@mannystr2639 I knew I was abused and scared when I was five, and how bad my life was when I was seven. But I saw what what could be better. I think you underestimate them. But you are right about one thing. It’s perspective. It’s all they know, and their basis of comparison isn’t much better.

[@takemedreaming]

"My green choice, means black and red for others" Thanks, JR, for exposing this issue. I hope this makes the masses angry enough to do something!

[@John_jojo_kay]

The world should know the reality of our life in DR Congo, I have lost many friends in underground mining.

[@kirstylangdalen7686]

My heart goes out to you and your country ❤️the world is waking up! I promise to spread awareness and do what ever I can to shine light on this. ❤️

[@John_jojo_kay]

@@kirstylangdalen7686 on behalf of my fellow countrymen I appreciate your support and kindness 🙏♥️

[@otaineydouglas7622]

what are the African community and head of state is doing to change the life of the Congo people

[@2BluntsLaterJr]

@@otaineydouglas7622absolutely nothing. Tshisekedi (the president) he himself owns some mines as well 😂 what a joke of a president

[@sa25-svredemption98]

One of the increasingly rare examples of brilliant journalism from ABC. If this is the new threshold for journalistic standards, this is a great omen for the future of journalism, and the exposure of incredibly dangerous stories, and the systems the stories investigate.

[@eternaloutlaw2634]

This world man. It shouldn't be like this.

[@imascrew6218]

yet the media seems to be more upset about people pronouns........

[@pdxeddie1111]

@Sick Habits Ran by sin ruled by sin

[@HEADBANGERSBALLER]

"Jesus is coming and he is pissed"

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children

[@eternaloutlaw2634]

@@HEADBANGERSBALLER I hope so

[@zauers1990]

I was telling people years ago. That green energy is not so green at all. This documentary should be showed in every government owned television channels. So some people understand the consequences.

[@Rick_Riff]

It's a giant establishment grift. The elites aren't scared of climate change, they're blowing smoke up our asses, I never bought it since the time Al Gore was flying around in private jets lecturing the rabble.

[@MsDrusilla666]

don't be misled by the title. every single phone uses cobalt. i am assuming you posted this from a phone. we are ALL complicit in this because we refuse to give up the trapping of this easy technology. ask anyone today if they are willing to give up their smartphone. you will find maybe one person out of a hundred that would consider it. this is not a green energy issue. this is consumer issue.

[@gulshanchaurasia2233]

Its same as those people who eat meat and own a pet to pretend to be animal lovers 😂😂😂

[@ballenboy]

In my opinion we are better off paying in blood instead of paying in degrees of Celsius. The future will not be brighter if we are too bleeding heart about getting the results needed.

[@DuckSookma]

Thanks Siddharth and Joe for pointing this way, had no idea this was happening

[@JCreole]

Sad part is I’m watching this on a device powered with a lithium battery. 😢

[@James-gr5mx]

they are being exploited the chinese own all the mines in the congo. they are making billions while abusing these workers with no masks, boots and vehicles. they also get 1 dollar a day instead of 50 dollars. the congo president is corrupt how can you sell mines to make yourself rich but not your country. My friend lives in the congo his brother earns 1 to 2 dollars a day and suffer from health issues.

[@bradleybeckley3853]

We pretty much all are.

[@nathandecaro1027]

The best we can do is keep our devices as long as possible. Who knows ppl also jump off buildings in China over these phones also.

[@lumberjaxe8910]

At least you got them a Job.

[@sandracook2242]

It’s not the cobalt but the corruption of a government and companies on how it is using a desperate people to make their millions. 😢

[@ajakoska8216]

Such a rich country, full of mineral wealth, so exploited by greedy companies. They should pay big for that cobalt and people can live normally in their beautiful country. Love for Africa.

[@TheMxrrab]

The Congolese government only care about one thing and that is money. They are corrupt and willing to use their own people for their own gain. It is absolutely savage, this country could provide their people with a good standard of living if they weren’t so focused on money

[@leangrypoulet7523]

No chance of that. As you saw from the local chief extorting Mama to place the cross on her son’s grave. The country is rife with corruption. Clearly I’m not saying the west shouldn’t pay (considerably) more to third world countries for all we do and have done, but to think the population will have improved lives because of it is just naive I’m afraid. It will go into the pockets of the politicians, police, military, and all their henchmen. So all that paying more will do is make the top 0.5 of these countries even richer. Very very sad state of affairs and no clear sign that anything is going to change or improve in the near or even distant future.

[@frankcoley1537]

Here's the issue. Imagine they paided them big. These devices and batteries would sky rocket and none of it would sell. So, to put it bluntly *You're a Victim* We're victims of consumer control and they're victims of others coming to capitalize on that consumer control. Who makes the most for the US? China. The US/China relationship it's choking the life out of The Congo. The "Go Green" movement doesn't give AF about the Congo. These dumb batteries being out in cars. People under the impression that they're "Saving the planet from oil" you're simply shifting this consumer burden Now, also look at the chocolate industry. It's the same thing. People making 3 cents a day extracting Cocoa. Slavery isn't over, people just started looking the other way. 😐

[@bdon77]

The big problem is that their government officials are so easy to bribe with absolutely no checks and balances. Yes, there is corruption everywhere but not like in Africa unfortunately.

[@wingedarr0w]

There is not much money. The DRC exports 20B each year, mostly copper and cobalt. If this was divided up equally with their 108m population, that is about $180 a year. Basically far below poverty.

[@susankful]

The Congolese government knows about this and allows it. What does that say? Heartbreaking story. Thank you, Joe Rogan.

[@brianvanlijf6007]

Many countries secret services and foreig policies are all chipping in on destabilizing the country further by funding the M23 rebels, against EU and NATO advice. It is geopolitics in the same likes as for oil and Iraq / Afghanistan back in the day.

[@mshigh9425]

The Gov is bought and paid for.

[@uk145]

That tunnel mining is horrific

[@ErgonBill]

Difficult, but great reporting. Kudos to the ground crew.

[@nintalespaw]

The "chief" stopping the ceremony unless he got a bribe was one of the scummiest things I've ever seen. How can you fight back against these mining companies when you oppress each other like that.

[@puffdaddy69]

@@hughjarse8944 Africans created slavery

[@tkk3852]

Stupid comment. Corruption is in every continent. Such a silly person with your self-righteousness. Companies owned by white people like Tesla are the ones buying these conflict cobalt.

[@hughjarse8944]

@@tkk3852 There’s a big difference between a chinamen brain and an african brain. The former is about the size of a golf ball, while the latter is the size of a pea.

[@MoejiiOsmanTV]

@@hughjarse8944 it's the situation they've been burdened on...Congo is the last bit of wild Africa left and this companies are destroying it how can you blame the people for not taken a grain of trillions of dollars used off there blood

[@James-gr5mx]

they are being exploited the chinese own all the mines in the congo. they are making billions while abusing these workers with no masks, boots and vehicles. they also get 1 dollar a day instead of 50 dollars. the congo president is corrupt how can you sell mines to make yourself rich but not your country. My friend lives in the congo his brother earns 1 to 2 dollars a day and suffer from health issues.

[@ChrisB-pu2bd]

Such a sad story and what makes it even sadder is all these people living this way so we can have an Apple phone. Truly heartbreaking !

[@brina6680]

13:09 my heart breaks for this mother. I can feel her pain and sorrow. This is really bad.

[@robertmudega9514]

There is alot to learn in the world especially in Africa but such documentaries open our minds further.

[@SoCalDanny]

Coming to see this video shows you the impact Joe Rogan and his podcast has on spreading information

[@JosephQuillen]

Also here because of Joe!

[@chactada]

mee too

[@cqretsqurl]

Why does this not have millions of views. This is shameful.

[@cookingwithuweraniyonshuti]

Thank you to your reporter for risking his life to show us just what price we are really paying for the cobalt in our phones, in our laptops and in our cars.

[@ThanasisZantrimas0310]

That's a really excellent piece of documentary. I have also watched a similar one from DW which is called the Price of Green Energy.

[@thecsslife]

I am a researcher of solid-state chemistry, and I've never seen deposits of minerals so rich like this. This is unreal

[@jim6186]

That's what you noticed?

[@dontbeafool]

@@jim6186 stop the virtue signaling. Of course he saw the suffering. He was just pointing out a fact.

[@1wun1]

Unreal indeed

[@mysteriousdude280]

Welcome to Africa

[@Jdalio5]

​@@jim6186yes Karen that's his biggest realization ....in guessubk ge already knows about the injustice. Glad you're finally waking up to it.

[@LukasEddy]

"I can't feed my children. But I will have lots of children anyway." I think birth control would help end poverty in the Congo.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Chastity

[@badddkattt]

Yes. The basic problem is poverty caused by overpopulation.

[@heatherbishop6526]

Breaks my heart for these people! That poor mother… I just can’t 😭

[@OotsutsukiShibai]

Why are adult people making babies? They're sentencing their own children to life of slave with beatings, very, very hard conditions, no healtcare. Im so angry that people are doing this with knowledge that their children will become slave worker after they will know how to walk.

[@heatherbishop6526]

@@OotsutsukiShibai not very good healthcare yes… but do you expect them to not have sex too? I don’t think they really plan on having that many children but there’s not too many ways to prevent them I’d imagine. I guess I can’t judge them as this is the only life they’ve ever known when survival is a way of life… they just do what needs to be done. I blame the people exploiting them. There’s such a push for EV with no one looking into this! No push to pay them fair wages and work in safe conditions

[@juanitarichards1074]

Those beautiful children.....

[@carlosvillalta9974]

Man that lady bearing her son hit hard. But the same cogo police is so corrupt. My heart goes out to them innocent kids 😢

[@miacheers9297]

GOOD PEOPLE THAT DO THIS WORK !!!! ❤ WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND DO MORE FOR OUR PEOPLE . 🙏🏾 GOD BLESS THEM

[@DiscoveringKena]

Children are DYING for the devices we use everyday! This is sickening

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

Morta

[@greenjihad3390]

This report is a solid piece of journalism. Kudos for showing it and the work put in to it.

[@guyinutah]

Heart breaking. No one knows what is happening here. Thanks for getting the truth out there.

[@logamaria5]

This breaks my heart!! Despite what is happening those people smile and being so polite🥺 Why is nobody doing something? I wish I could do something to end the suffering for all these people. There are so many rich people in the world that have the power to end all this poverty. I hate this with all my heart and soul, because sometimes I forget how lucky I was to be born where I was born and have the privilege to do something with my life. This is so unfair and we should all pull together and do something to stop the people in power!!!!

[@1x0x]

your innocence is amusing

[@OotsutsukiShibai]

Many people are doing things to prevent/end this but as you can imagine it's hard to win against a lot of bilionaire people/companies that are in this together.

[@MorrisDeannaLynn]

Thank you for sharing the brevity of the situation. Heart Wrenching.

[@adriannepeterson6347]

What a disgrace with what is happening! Thank you for the report to raise awareness

[@MikeHawkPEN15]

Drives a tesla. Lmao

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children

[@1x0x]

lmao if you think this is only one industry doing this to people...

[@Tammissa]

This makes me so angry. Corruption and greed from outside countries are destroying the last of earths nutrient rich countries. The level of suffering is beyond comprehension. The level of greed the government has at the expense of their own people is disgusting. It doesn’t have to be like this. Until governments are held accountable nothing will change.

[@sayulitalyfe5299]

Biden 2024 baby

[@milesinnz]

"outside countries"... the Congo does not have to mine or sell this... and who the hell do you want to blame for the government that is in power in the Congo ? Now if western countries sanctioned a country like this that would be wrong.. if western companies brought mechanized mining in that would be wrong.. so you are really one big hypocrite who has nothing useful to say - correct ? oh, and how do you propose "governments" be held accountable.?. and about now, people like you make a run for the exit and that makes you a fraud..

[@milesinnz]

hey, and swallow this.. population 1960 = 15 million, now 90 million, now you are really running for the hills... you don't have a clue.. do you..

[@kwamebushman606]

@@milesinnz IRONICALLY those driving electric cars don't live in Africa Congo included 🙄🙄🙄 Such Hypocrites you people

[@blaquentgruppe6547]

lol stop breeding get eh cat

[@inew5350]

I am from Ethiopia.its very sad to see this documentary and I encourage this to be done in Ethiopia too

[@burndog79]

Thank you JR. Came to see this after watching your podcast

[@Diode5]

Cobalt is used in the Lithium-ion battery making process, so this is a long time problem. Anyone who's had a phone or a laptop in the last 20 years is part of this process. EV's could accelerate the scale of the issue where the sheer quantity of minerals required to produce batteries at that size and scale is a real problem. Research is going into how to try and eliminate Cobalt from the battery making process while keeping the same amount of charge. Technically you can make a battery without cobalt, but it's our willingness to accept a battery that doesn't hold as much charge. So far there isn't a magical replacement for Cobalt just yet. Probably the main factor for moving away from cobalt is that it's rare enough that it isn't sustainable to make batteries at the scale required for all cars to be EV's. Car makers know they need to find a more abundant element to make batteries with. The main issue right now is everything is so corrupt in Congo that it's difficult to clean up the process to have ethically mined Cobalt.

[@yisraeljarthur]

This analysis is good. Unfortunately, it neglects a predatory environment exacerbated by powerful corporate entities. To lay the entire blame at the feet of Congo, which is expected to ‘overcome’ years of colonial exploitation and war, factors linked to the West, is to ignore the other side of the problem. It’s worth asking who holds the capital, what is the power dynamic, and in a market sense, who holds the cards ? This isn’t supposed to be a patronising analogy, but if I offer candy in exchange for a high five from a five year old, who holds a power in the transaction ?

[@beatamafulu2405]

The conflict we are living with in Congo is Clinton and his puppet Kagame and others who planned for the interests of the multinationals. They are allowing leaders without any good background to govern and those people would not even be supervisor in a cleaning business, theses are the people the western government are allowing to put them in power, so that Kagame, Museveni , South Africa will continue to kill and pillage our resources on their behalf. We just want peace.

[@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074]

It’s the fly in the ointment. There’s no clean way to mine cobalt, lithium or anything we take from the earth. The best way forward would be to go back to making products that last. In the 70s for example, appliances like washing machines would easily last 25 yrs without replacing a single part, today you’d be lucky to get 7 yrs. Computer tech is often obsolete within 2 yrs, that is outrageous and a leading cause of environmental damage. Corporate greed at it’s finest.

[@ligma192]

@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 planned obsolescence. They want permanent customers to gas light the consumer on how the consumer is the one that needs to decrease their carbon emissions.

[@headstashmusic3897]

@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 Yeah I remember the good old days when cobalt lasted way longer...

[@fletch4882]

This took my words. Thank you very much for the content

[@kelsorobbie]

It starts by talking about it. Great documentary 👏 👍 👌

[@kennethhowigo2723]

Keep up the good job filming, the world is watching. One day those children our there will control their own minerals for their country and for their future. Papua New Guinea.

[@mariapereira5500]

We the people of the world should rise up and be against all of this suffering Unfortunately governments and businesses are together in corruption..

[@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074]

No one is stopping you from taking a stand. Are you willing to give up all your modern conveniences, because that’s what it will take. It’s the fly in the ointment.

[@blaquentgruppe6547]

stop brrrrrreeding

[@ligma192]

@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 "modern conveniences"🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@ligma192]

@@blaquentgruppe6547 okay mister gates🤡🤡🤡

[@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074]

@@ligma192 What’s so funny about that?

[@mattycakes1161]

Blood diamonds, blood cobalt. Truth is, people will fight over anything if it's valuable. The only way to stop it is to not buy any of it, and then people suffer because of that too.

[@gasoven3759]

You'll have to stop buying electric cars, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and anything else with lithium-ion batteries. All the things it takes to type in your comments on KZbin. Ironic.

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children

[@Albietraveling]

Just for reference, when I found this video about four days after the Joe Rogan episode, this video had about 300,000 views which is a shame. Hopefully within a few months this video will have millions of views and more people will understand.

[@mamma1506]

I watched this when it was originally posted…but leave it to JRE to bring it the attention it deserves!

[@dutch160]

Thank you for sharing this. 🙏

[@terenceturner85]

God bless those people to prosper in all that they endeavor to do.

[@powelllucas4724]

As a teenager, I once hitch-hiked through a town named Cobalt in Ontario. Like a lot of the old mining towns in that part of Ontario, they were virtual ghost towns with any dreams of prosperity buried in the hard rock of the Laurentians.

[@alextrotman2743]

Thank you for your amazing undercover work.

[@user-rm3il1ii7i]

GDP per capita in 1950: DR Congo: $636 China : $614 Now: DR Congo: $889 China: $16842 Being poor is not justice.

[@joshuakuehn]

I guess the Chinese are smarter

[@Mimashrimp]

Both in the 50s Chinese and Congolese had a revolutions asserting their national sovereignty, but the Congolese revolution was quickly undermined and stamped out by funding the overthrow of Lumumba.

[@komisossoutsidi5801]

​@@MimashrimpLumumba was way in over his head

[@ajaxman200]

We are not human, if everytime we use our laptops or cellphones dont think about these people who for the sake of saving their kids from hunger are doing such a difficult job of mining cobalts with their bare hands. Our Li- ion battery devices work because of them. The suffer and pain they endure is a shame on the face of humanity ! Thank you for conscientious journalists!

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children

[@innocentmose2114]

God please take care of your people in Congo.. give wisdom and Human heart to the people who expose young children to danger. it shall and should have to stop.

[@ToghrulHajiyev]

It's a very bad situation. The whole world should know this. And God bless all children, they have no sin.

[@OotsutsukiShibai]

If god would bless them, their lifes wouldn't be looking like that.

[@tadeuvieira319]

I loved this documentary. Great work, tragedy reality.

[@patricklauri6694]

Thank you. I learned about cobalt on cobalt then used cobalt to search for videos about cobalt on cobalt and then cobalt.

[@JE-co8fx]

So original ❤

[@bigben8865]

Thank you for doing this

[@jerrylofy9153]

Even amongst extreme hardship they maintain a positive attitude. Amazing to see them seemingly happy and laughing to have work so they can eat.

[@johngoosen1962]

You see that in every single poverty stricken area in the world. I think its the naivety towards the gravity of your plight....

[@flash4901]

@John Goosen nah, you win and you lose in different conditions. U may work bad environmeny but your spirit is definitely more stronger than someone who is on their couch or chair all day or complaining about how uber eats got their order wrong lol. Most of the world was like this not long ago before industrial revolution, and they certainly were not depressed as people are now. Adrenaline and endorphins are a big factor and usually release in high stress situations

[@terryankevmiller470]

Thanks for bringing this to world attention

[@Moccalocca100]

Pray for Congo. From Morocco

[@adrianamendozac.2127]

Un reportaje increíble. 👏👏

[@waytogo668]

Thank you for sharing the story! It's really sad to know this.

[@frankgalassi7821]

To sad to watch the suffering of human trying to survive.

[@adoe2305]

We are all suffering humans trying to survive

[@samuelcox9300]

This is truly heart wrenching. Something must be done for these people.

[@walliskyle6996]

amazing documentary thank you

[@elodiebenoit1545]

Thank you so much for this documentary. Finally exposing the truth, seeing the humans behind the dirty work. Continue your great work.

[@drygordspellweaver8761]

You have cobalt eyes

[@phebe9549]

Great documentary.

[@LucasGomes-mf6jm]

Excelente documentário

[@healthplusdelux9916]

Excellent documentary!

[@johnfernandez2060]

Here after listening to the New Rogan podcast. This is insane and heartbreaking 💔

[@stoicman31]

The problem with Congolese is that no body wants to sacrifice and fix their country. They have everything but the people with the desire, effort and ability to make things happen. They’re all trying to leave Congo for greener pastures.

[@ijumaainjabulo5983]

The problem with any nonwhite country with valuable resources especially darker people is how the western cartel does everything to undermine the development to maintain control of resources at a cheap price.

[@Jameschung81]

Africa is such a rich continent and it is sickening to see how some people just keep on taking from the mother land. Lives is more valuable than minerals. 😢

[@imaguygolfn]

Everything ever made has been made from materials on earth (Mother land). How you get those materials is another matter indeed.

[@tylergrove]

Thanks joe. There's no such thing as clean cobalt

[@sarahkeller7630]

Recently heard they have loopholes where the companies that said they were not buying from these companies actually do from outside sources

[@nathanprophet4263]

WITH all their natural resources they are Still suffering and under develop, Africa is a real hell

[@noulafrantz8589]

Our leaders are the one killing ours

[@_napoleoncastro]

Great doc. Nice work.

[@johannaetrishamorgan6850]

Thanks for this clip

[@micahy.6190]

How on Earth are the likes on this video under 1%? It’s so well made

[@gregchambers3365]

This is so sad I feel sorry for the people of the Congo. This is worry in so many ways.

[@DALEAKADMASS-kg2lj]

Thank you for what you do

[@pauls.2526]

Thanks for your insightful report. 😢

[@WENDIE34C]

1st time I've heard about this until I watched this so many shut things going on at the same time all over the world... I'm different world you could all be watching out down children and family surviving like this ?

[@sayulitalyfe5299]

You been hiding under a rock 😂 this is why as a republican I don't support electric cars.

[@slamsuperslam]

If Africa could have ownership over their own produce and natural resource, they would be the next global superpower. That is why the west does its very best to prevent that from ever happening. I pray for the future of Africa, I hope the continent as a whole, namely the poorer nations, will one day get what they deserve to have.

[@npcimknot958]

The problem is the corruption is so bad.. like all gov and they keep poeple uneducated so it’s near impossible now.. it’s sad.. Imagine a celeb could just donate like 1% and these people could eat for a life time

[@darcyobrien8616]

Those sisters are so kind and so nice, what amazing humanity they are speeding

[@gunmetal2445]

69 likes only?! This needs way more exposure.

[@gunmetal2445]

@@panpan581 Oh I missed that!

[@jeanmitchell5834]

So bloody true what a sick filthy world...so sorry for these poor kids

[@thikill94]

Excellent report. The conditions are so sad. The pains of amoral globalization and blind eye "innovation" has true evils that can be seen in this bottom of supply chain wage slavery. Thank God for the sisters doing their ministry to aid the local people!

[@34jared]

Love the uniforms @24:40 with "SWAT" and "Airborne."

[@GETYOBAGMONIQUE]

See I respect people like him of the opposite race that has a big heart and wants to help and spread awareness.

[@margogreen8619]

It's heart breaking, this world is so corrupt!

[@garrettwilbur8024]

thank you for sharing this is a sad truth for sure

[@JamalAswan]

Africa will Rise! Again! ❤️🖤💚

[@sharronewilson4761]

Didn’t something like this happen in the early 1900s for rubber. Wtf yo

[@bloggtalk5085]

praying from kenya for my congolese people especially in the eastern side.. one day these extractive exploitation by foreigners will stop. i hope conflicts will be resolved and east african community rise to demand for investment INTO congo for the mineral wealth , not exporting raw materials leaving almost nothing to help develop the country. they dont deserve this!

[@jackwitman8504]

I agree. We always complain when these people illegally immigrate, but big business makes it almost impossible for them to survive in their own countries.

[@joshuamaka876]

Same with cocoa for chocolate grown in the middle of the jungle in Africa by child slaves and marketed in the West by smiling children