The Jordan Harbinger Show 807: Siddharth Kara | How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives
Mar 9, 2023
Siddharth Kara, an expert on human trafficking and author of "Cobalt Red," dives deep into the harrowing world of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He reveals that about 75% of global cobalt comes from areas plagued by child labor and severe human rights abuses. Kara discusses the environmental devastation linked to cobalt extraction and the interconnected web of exploitation involving smugglers and corrupt officials. He emphasizes the urgent need for consumer awareness and corporate accountability in addressing these ethical dilemmas.
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Cobalt's Importance and Source
- Cobalt is essential for modern life, used in rechargeable batteries powering everyday devices.
- Most cobalt is mined in the Congo under horrific conditions, making consumers unwitting participants in exploitation.
Congo's Mineral Wealth
- The Congo's abundance of minerals, including cobalt, is due to geological events millions of years ago.
- Tectonic activity brought mineral-rich seawater and later pushed these deposits close to the surface, making hand-digging possible.
Coltan Mining Anecdote
- Jordan Harbinger recounts meeting someone who mined coltan in Sierra Leone.
- The miner wore gold and diamonds for easy escape but revealed the prevalence of informal, potentially exploitative mines.
