Echoes of Colonial Legacy: How Decarbonization Efforts Reinforce Human Rights Inequities

The study’s authors contend that human rights violations tied to modern cobalt mining—such as child labor, forced displacement, and systemic marginalization—represent contemporary manifestations of historical colonial practices. They published their findings in the journal Cities.

“We illustrate how these colonial practices originated with the establishment of mining corporations and the founding of Lubumbashi. The current mining boom for copper and cobalt reflects a fresh iteration of such old practices,” explained lead author Brandon Marc Finn, an assistant research scientist at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability.

“While these minerals are essential for decarbonization, it is crucial to recognize and address the neocolonial implications that surface in the quest for these resources,” he added.

Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was initially named Elisabethville and was established by Belgian colonizers in 1910. Its creation was primarily driven by the availability of natural resources, particularly copper.

Finn and co-author Patrick Cobinnah from the University of Melbourne aimed to connect the colonial history of Lubumbashi to current practices. By examining historical records, they discovered that, similar to its founding, child labor remains prevalent in mining activities today—workers engage in hazardous manual mining, leading to wealth that primarily benefits political elites and foreign corporations.

The use of child labor in mining predates the city’s establishment, according to the study. Finn references a decree from 1890 by Belgian King Leopold II, which allowed Belgian officials to take custody of children who were orphaned or said to be abandoned. In return for providing basic needs, these children were compelled to work under Belgian control until they reached 25.

Much of this labor was likely associated with extracting resources like copper or rubber from the region. The colonial governance of Lubumbashi laid the groundwork for land ownership, ultimately falling into the hands of Belgian mining companies that acquired large tracts of land. Within just two decades, the area transitioned into the fifth-largest copper exporter globally, aiding in global electrification.

Transitioning into the 20th century, Lubumbashi became significant in uranium mining, as noted by Finn. Drawing from Susan Williams’ book “Spies in the Congo,” Finn connects the same mining company (UMHK) that owned copper rights to uranium used in the Manhattan Project. This project utilized Congolese uranium to manufacture atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. Some of this uranium was also mined manually—similar to how many small-scale miners extract minerals today.

In present times, the city is situated near another critical resource for worldwide decarbonization: cobalt. This mineral is essential for numerous lithium-ion batteries utilized in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. In 2020, the southern DRC accounted for over 69% of the global cobalt production, with about 2% derived from child labor.

Artisanal and small-scale miners continue to manually sort and extract minerals in Congo. The majority of cobalt laborers—estimated at about 98%—engage in “artisanal” mining, which contributes roughly 9% to 20% of the country’s total cobalt output. Finn cites studies indicating that current mining workers and communities in Katanga experience lower life expectancies, higher infant mortality rates, and increased occurrences of HIV, tuberculosis, and respiratory illnesses.

“Tracing the lineage of these mining practices and the resulting socioeconomic disparities back to the colonial era is essential. We need these minerals for decarbonization, but we must combat the neocolonial structures that persist today,” said Finn. “For decarbonization to be fair, we must address justice across all levels. This region has significantly impacted global geopolitical dynamics.”

Finn emphasizes that, as the world moves towards decarbonization, attention must also focus on the communities historically involved in mineral extraction for global use. “We can support decarbonization while concurrently highlighting the neocolonial extraction and exploitation practices,” he remarked.

“Addressing broader structural issues is crucial. We must hold Congolese political leaders accountable,” he noted. “Moreover, Swiss, South African, and Chinese mining companies, often backed by the Chinese government, are rapidly extracting resources without adequately sharing wealth or skills with the local communities; this needs strong criticism. While we should embrace decarbonization, it’s vital to ensure that it does not perpetuate neocolonialism.”