UK Edition
Apple and Google named in US lawsuit over Congolese child cobalt mining deaths
Google, Apple and Tesla are among a raft of tech companies named in a human rights lawsuit centered on child labour in Congolese mines.
Speaking on behalf of 14 Congolese families, the human rights group International Rights Advocates alleged that the organisations have been complicit in the death and injury of children extracting cobalt from mines.
According to court papers seen by The Guardian, the lawsuit names Dell, Microsoft, Tesla, Google and Apple as defendants. The lawsuit argued that the companies had "specific knowledge" that the cobalt used in their products could be linked to child labour but instead of regulating their supply chains, the companies profited from exploitation.
The lawsuit highlighted several examples whereby children were buried alive or paralysed following tunnel collapses and suffered from broken spines while carrying heavy goods. As part of their lawsuit, the families are requesting compensation for forced labour, emotional distress and negligent supervision.
An estimated 60pc of the world supply of cobalt is extracted from Congo and demand for the product has grown steadily as it has become essential for producing the lithium-ion batteries used to power electric cars, laptops and smartphones. However, the extraction process has been steeped in controversy with concerns surrounding human rights abuses and corruption.
In response to the claims, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “Microsoft is committed to responsible and ethical sourcing. We take this responsibility very seriously and take significant steps to enforce our policies and code of conduct in support of human rights, labor, health and safety, environmental protection, and business ethics through our supply chain.
"If there is questionable behaviour or possible violation by one of our suppliers, we investigate and take action. We recognise that global raw material supply chains are vast and complex systems involving millions of entities that we cannot impact alone. It’s why we continue to work with suppliers, NGOs and the larger industry to improve things on the ground and address these important issues.”
Meanwhile representatives from Apple have said: "Apple is deeply committed to the responsible sourcing of materials that go into our products. We’ve led the industry by establishing the strictest standards for our suppliers and are constantly working to raise the bar for ourselves, and the industry."
Mining companies, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Glencore were also named in the lawsuit. The Congolese families allege that their children worked in mines owned by the two companies.
A spokesperson for Glencore said: "Glencore notes the allegations contained in a US lawsuit filed on Dec 15 2019. Glencore supports and respects human rights in a manner consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“Glencore’s production of cobalt in the DRC is a by-product of our industrial copper production. Glencore does not purchase, process or trade any artisanally mined ore. Glencore does not tolerate any form of child, forced, or compulsory labour.”
Dell, Tesla, Google and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt have all been approached for comment.