Cobalt, Copper and Colonialism

ClimateInColour Deep Dives

The Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts some of the most substantial mineral reserves in the world, with over half of the planet’s cobalt deposits and its seventh-largest reserve of copper. With both of these resources playing a central role in the energy transition (for electric vehicles and renewable technologies) as well as the manufacture of consumer electronics, companies have swept in, from China to Canada, to get in on the action.

But a long history of colonial violence and exploitation casts its shadow over the region…

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Research + Writing: Sam Storey | Editor: Joycelyn Longdon