Tens of thousands of miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) face harsh exploitation despite their vital role in the green energy transition, two rights groups warned on Tuesday.
A report by UK-based watchdog RAID and Congolese human rights group CAJJ accuses major mining companies of employing a subcontractor system that traps workers in low-wage conditions.
The report found that over half of all mining employees work for subcontractors, earning a meager average of $330 per month in 2021-2022, with some receiving as little as $90. Shockingly, the NGOs estimate a living wage for Congolese miners to be $501 per month.
“While multinational companies see huge profits, mine workers are falling deeper into poverty with worsening living conditions,” said Josue Kashal of CAJJ.
The report details the harsh realities endured by subcontracted miners, including excessive work hours, unsafe conditions, violence, discrimination, and a lack of basic healthcare.
“The mining industry’s claims of supplying sustainable green minerals are a stark contrast to the brutal exploitation faced by Congolese workers,” said Anneke Van Woudenberg, director of RAID.
Cobalt, mined primarily in the DRC’s Kolwezi region, is a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. Additionally, the DRC is a major copper producer, providing essential materials for the green energy infrastructure.
This report comes just before DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, raising crucial questions about the ethical sourcing of minerals fueling the green energy revolution.
