Congo: the toxic environmental costs of going green

IWTW ‘Explore’ is about highlighting different trends around the world and presenting audiences with both sides of the story in order to facilitate a better understanding of world issues and decision making in the spheres of the economy, society, environment, technology and politics.

What is it about?

Unreported World investigates the dirty business of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mineral is fuelling the planet’s green revolution, but at what cost?

Around seventy percent of the world’s cobalt is mined in the Central African country, mostly from the southern Katanga area, thought to be one of the ten most polluted places on earth. Reporter Jamal Osman travels to Kolwezi, a city dependent on supplying Cobalt, a critical component for electric cars and rechargeable batteries. Residents are employed by large multinational companies, or in smaller, and more dangerous artisanal mines. We meet the men who clamber down dark weaving airless tunnels to extract cobalt for as little as $150 per month. But is the paycheck worth the health risks that doctors have uncovered?

Why should I watch it?

  • More than 2.6 million views since 31 oct 2021
  • More than 44K likes

Full documentary (by Unreported World)

IWTW note: The opinions in the video don’t necessarily represent those of IWTW. The goal of IWTW ‘Explore’ is to inform its audience about interesting developments around the world through a selection of short and long documentaries. IWTW considers those documentaries as great starting points for further discussion. We strive to update our selection of content should ‘better’ documentaries emerge over time.

RELATED POSTS

Somalia: Pirate hunting – Meet the Counter-Piracy Task Force (2023)

12 mln views. Is there really a dedicated effort to stop Somali piracy? Different interwoven stories from the world of piracy give a new and unique perspective on this issue.

Tanzania: What It’s Like To Have Albinism (2018)

Oscar Duke, an NHS doctor with albinism heads to Tanzania and Malawi to discover what life is like for other people with the same genetic condition.

Nigeria: Boko Haram, black terror in Africa (2024)

It was the end of one of the most heartbreaking events in recent times. 82 schoolgirls were released after 3 years of imprisonment in exchange for 5 terrorists.

South Africa: a challenging economic journey

The ANC has ruled South Africa for 30 years. The party once stood for the end of apartheid. But many voters want change before the 2024 elections.