Addressing ESG issues associated with the sourcing of cobalt for the electronics industry
The multi-company coalition involving TDi, Cobalt ASM, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA) has been actively working since 2019 to address the social and environmental issues related to the sourcing of cobalt for the electronics industry. This coalition aims to tackle challenges such as child labour, economic poverty, and sustainable livelihoods in the cobalt supply chain:
Formation of the Fair Cobalt Alliance:
The FCA includes a wide range of stakeholders, such as large-scale mining organisations, refineries, battery manufacturers, electronics and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), public sector entities, international development agencies, private foundations, NGOs, and industry associations.
Resources and Implementation:
The FCA provides a platform for organisations to pool funds and resources at various levels to drive mine improvement, eradicate child labour, and support economic diversification in mining communities. It serves as a management umbrella for implementing targeted interventions aimed at improving mining working conditions and protecting children’s rights.
Industry Transformation and Collaborative Engagement:
The coalition emphasises the need for constructive engagement with ASM mine sites to create decent working conditions and mitigate hazards through proper equipment, training, mine management skills, and infrastructure for sanitation and healthcare. TDi, in partnership with the FCA, advocates for industry-wide collaboration to leverage collective power and transform entire regions of mining communities for the better conditions and protecting children’s rights.