A lawsuit has been filed against several top technology firms over the deaths and injuries of child cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The International Rights Advocates filed the lawsuit against tech firms, including Apple, Google, Tesla and Microsoft, seeking damages over deaths and injuries of child cobalt miners in DR Congo. The filing was made on behalf of 14 Congolese families.
The lawsuit accuses the tech firms of knowing that cobalt used in their products could be linked to child labor. Sixty percent of the global supply of cobalt comes from the country.
The mineral is a main component in the production of lithium-ion batteries used to power electric cars, laptops and smartphones. However, the process of cobalt extraction has been plagued with issues of illegal mining, human rights abuses and corruption.
In the lawsuit, the International Rights Advocates argued that the companies were unable to regulate their supply chains and instead profited from exploitation. Other companies named in the case are computer manufacturer Dell and two mining companies, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Glencore, who own the sites where the Congolese families claimed their children worked as miners.
In a statement to the Telegraph in the UK, Glencore emphasized that it "does not purchase, process or trade any artisanally mined ore" and that it also "does not tolerate any form of child, forced, or compulsory labor."
The court filings, as reported by the Guardian newspaper, cited several incidents of child miners buried alive or suffering from injuries after tunnel collapse. The 14 Congolese families are seeking compensation from the companies for forced labor, emotional distress and negligent supervision.
In response to the lawsuit, Microsoft released a statement expressing its commitment to responsible sourcing of minerals and assured that it investigates any violations by its suppliers and takes action.
