This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“The cobalt found in the dirt here
provides maximum stability and energy density to rechargeable batteries,
allowing them to hold more charge and operate safely for longer periods. Remove cobalt from the battery, and you will
have to plug in your smartphone or electric vehicle much more often, and before
long, the batteries may very well catch on fire. There is no known deposit of cobalt-containing
ore anywhere in the world that is larger, more accessible, and higher grade
than the cobalt under Kolwezi.” – Siddharth Kara, Chapter 1: “Unspeakable
Richness”, Page 20
“The developments that sparked demand for each resource
attracted a new wave of treasure seekers.
At no point in their history have the Congolese people benefited in any
meaningful way from the monetization of their country’s resources. Rather, they have often served as a slave
labor force for the extraction of those resources at minimum cost and maximum
suffering.” – Siddharth Kara, Chapter 1: “Unspeakable Richness”, Page 22
“Mobutu remained in power for decades, despite overt corruption, by embracing the U.S. cause against communism, which brought him the unwavering support of Presidents Nixon, Bush, Reagan, and Clinton. Katanga’s minerals flowed to the West, and the proceeds flowed into Mobutu’s bank accounts. However, that which Katanga gives, it can also take away.” – Siddharth Kara, Chapter 5: Colony to the World, Page 114
Is This An Overview?
Cobalt is a rare resource used in electronic technologies to
make devices hold more charge and operate safely for longer. As societies are transitioning from fossil
fuels to renewable sources of energy, cobalt is a resource needed to satisfy
sustainability goals. Cobalt is most
abundant, in Congo. Congo contains the
largest concentration of accessible and high-grade cobalt. Congo has cobalt and a variety of valuable
resources, which are in demand by foreign powers. An abundance of resources, which has been
severely exploited.
Cobalt is mined through coerced labor, which involves
children. The people work in hazardous
conditions, using rudimentary tools.
Barely paid for the effort and risk taken. The wealth from the resources partly goes to
corrupt officials, but most of the wealth goes to foreign companies. The wealth is not being used to improve the
conditions of the people. The miners do
not have negotiating power to ask for appropriate wages, or working
conditions. The people do not want to
speak against the practices, for fear of violent reprisals. The use of sustainable electronic devices is
powered by the human and environmental catastrophe in Congo.
No company or government is taking responsibility for the
negative consequences of mining. No
company wants the inappropriate practices.
They claim that they are committed to high standards in their supply
chain, promote the responsible sourcing of resources, and uphold international
human rights. They claim to send support
to prevent the terrible conditions, but no sufficient efforts have been made to
ameliorate the conditions.
What Is Congo’s Political Situation?
Through the independence movement in 1960, Congo
democratically elected a prime minister, Patrice Lumumba. Through Lumumba, the Congolese were going to
gain sovereignty, to enable the resources to benefit the people rather than
foreign powers. Various foreign
interests conspired to remove Lumumba, and install Joseph Mobutu. Mobutu supported foreign power interests. Foreign powers got resources, with Mobutu
receiving the income.
How Does China Effect Congo?
China has been making infrastructure-for-resources
agreements across the African continent.
Even though the infrastructure is low quality without social
considerations to the location of the infrastructure, the Congo leaders such as
Kabila have benefited financially from the agreements. The cobalt is refined in China, because Congo
does not have sufficient electricity capacity to refine cobalt.
As of 2021, the ownership of 15 of 19 mining companies are
Chinese. The mining sites have their own
armed units, military contractors, and informal militias. They keep minerals secure and prevent prying
eyes.
Caveats?
Although a short history of Congo
and Congolese political situation is provided, the focus of the book is on the
mining industry. To understand the
variety of conflicts in Congo, and life outside the mining industry would
require more research.
Most of the book
tries to capture the individual, human suffering. As that information tends to be more
emotional, which is often assumed to make people change their behavior. As tragic as the human suffering is, the
narrative can become repetitive.
