DRC’s minerals have been systematically plundered for centuries; now, its cobalt is coveted by the world for green energy transition. Will this finally bring transformation or more misery to the local communities? Kinshasa, DRC | BIRD AGENCY | Congo’s natural resources have been plundered at a terrible cost to its …
Read More »River Nyamwamba changes colour, triggering panic among residents
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A strange colour and strong stench covering River Nyamwamba in Kasese district over the last few months has triggered fear of contamination among residents who depend on its water for domestic consumption, suspecting it could be polluted with copper and cobalt minerals. The residents suspect …
Read More »Fall in cobalt price pushes DR Congo to reform economy
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo’s new leadership is under mounting pressure to diversify the country’s economy from its dependence on raw materials following the plunge in the price of cobalt. Economic experts currently visiting the country have a sobering figure on which to base …
Read More »Cobalt prices soar, but Congo’s small miners see little of the gain
Kolwezi, DR Congo | AFP | In global markets the price of cobalt, a mineral used in batteries for high-tech products from iPhones to Tesla electric cars, has nearly tripled to $81,500 a tonne in two years. But in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which produced two-thirds of the global …
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