Nicolas Niarchos

Nicholas Niarchos, a journalist with notable work in The New Yorker and The Guardian, delves into the dark world of cobalt mining in the Congo. He shares his eye-opening experiences, including his arrest during investigations. The conversation reveals the country's tumultuous history marked by corruption and kleptocracy, highlighting the exploitation of local resources. They discuss the dilemma of child labor and hazardous conditions in artisanal mining while exploring the ethical challenges of cobalt's role in the green economy. It’s a gripping look at journalism's power in exposing harsh realities.

Nicolas Niarchos, a freelance journalist based in New York, dives into the dark world of cobalt mining in Congo, exploring how this crucial mineral fuels the electric vehicle boom. He discusses the deadly conditions artisanal miners face, including child labor, while also highlighting the stark contrast between the wealth promised to locals and the ongoing exploitation they endure. Niarchos calls for ethical reforms and sustainable practices in the cobalt supply chain, urging consumers to rethink their connection to the technology they use.

(Recorded October 4, 2021) Journalist Nicolas Niarchos may be the grandson of a famous Greek shipping magnate, but he can be found covering challenging and dangerous subjects like conflicts, minerals, and migration in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is a reporter at large at The New Yorker and a contributor to TIME, The Guardian, The New York Times and The Nation. Niarchos speaks with Alec about his upbringing, his journalistic path and his reporting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which exposes exploitation in the cobalt mining industry - and the importance of this crucial element in our global supply chain.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.