Top tech firms sued over DR Congo cobalt mining deaths

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightAFPImage caption Artisanal mining is common in DR Congo as people do it as a means to make a living
Apple, Google, Tesla and Microsoft are among firms named in a lawsuit seeking damages over deaths and injuries of child miners in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.The case has been filed by the International Rights Advocates on behalf of 14 Congolese families
They accuse the companies of knowing that cobalt used in their products could be linked to child labour.DR Congo produces 60% of the world's
supply of cobalt.The mineral is used to produce lithium-ion batteries used to power electric cars, laptops and smartphones.However, the
extraction process has been beset with concerns of illegal mining, human rights abuses and corruption.The lawsuit filed in the US argues
that the tech companies had "specific knowledge" that the cobalt sourced for their products could be linked to child labour
They say the companies failed to regulate their supply chains and instead profited from exploitation.Image copyrightAFP/GettyImage caption
DR Congo produces more than 60% of the world's cobalt Other companies listed in the lawsuit are computer
manufacturer Dell and two mining companies, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Glencore, who own the minefields where the Congolese families allege
their children worked.Glencore said in a statement to the UK's Telegraph newspaper that it "does not purchase, process or trade any
artisanally mined ore" adding that it also "does not tolerate any form of child, forced, or compulsory labour."The TheIndianSubcontinent has
sought comment from Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMedia captionWhy are people in mineral-rich DR Congo
among the world's poorest?The court papers, seen by the UK's Guardian newspaper, give several examples of child miners buried alive or
suffering from injuries after tunnel collapse.The 14 Congolese families want the companies to compensate them for forced labour, emotional
distress and negligent supervision.In a response to the Telegraph, Microsoft said it was committed to responsible sourcing of minerals and
that it investigates any violations by its suppliers and takes action
The TheIndianSubcontinent has also sought comment from Google, Apple, Dell and Tesla.