• Katanga region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in cobalt, essential for green energy technologies. Global demand for cobalt is increasing due to its critical role in lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and smartphones.
• The region's cobalt extraction is largely controlled by massive industrial mining operations, mostly owned by Chinese companies. These operations are criticized for causing environmental damage, exploiting resources and local labor, and contributing minimally to local wealth.
• "Creuseurs", or artisanal miners, including women and children, work in hazardous conditions to extract cobalt. Cases of collapses, corruption, and lack of safety measures are prevalent, posing significant risks to miners.
• Children, such as Deomba, a 13-year-old boy, are involved in the dangerous work of mining cobalt. Despite government efforts to reduce child labor, enforcement is weak, leading to continued exploitation.
• Efforts by organizations like the Sisters of the Good Shepherd aim to provide education and meals for children working in mines, though economic necessity often keeps them in labor.

The situation underscores the human cost of the green energy revolution, with significant ethical and social implications being overlooked for technological advancements.