In the heart of Kolwezi, the “cobalt capital” of the world, communities live amid dust and pollution caused by copper and cobalt mining. The COMMUS mine, owned by Zijin Mining, operates just meters from homes and the Trinité Medical Center. The pollution in Kolwezi has been linked to significant health challenges, particularly among women, with local health centers reporting up to 10 reproductive health cases each month. Artisanal miners, many of whom are women, face additional risks as they often work without protective gear, exposing themselves to toxic residues and radioactive materials such as uranium.
Fairphone’s efforts to ensure ethical cobalt sourcing
Amid growing concerns over the environmental and human toll of cobalt mining, Fairphone, through the Fair Cobalt Alliance (FCA), is driving initiatives to improve safety. The alliance equips women miners with personal protective equipment (PPE), including waterproof suits and boots, at cooperative sites like Kamilombe near Kolwezi. Marie Kulemba Samba, social manager for the cooperative, highlights the importance of these measures. “No woman is allowed to clean ores without PPE,” she says, noting how daily reminders also encourage safer practices.
Toward a fairer mining industry
While Fairphone and the FCA aim to create safer, more sustainable practices, much of Kolwezi’s artisanal mining sector remains unregulated. Women working outside FCA-supported sites still handle ore in hazardous conditions. Fairphone’s work underscores the urgent need for ethical sourcing in cobalt supply chains, ensuring that the global energy transition doesn't come at the expense of local lives. Encouraging more manufacturers to follow Fairphone's lead in improving cobalt mining conditions would be a significant step forward.
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