Extracted minerals transported from an artisanal mining site in DRC. Credit: WILPF.

German automobile company BMW, in partnership with companies from diverse industry backgrounds, has launched a cobalt pilot project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to improve working conditions for artisanal cobalt miners.

Other stakeholders in the pilot project include chemicals firm BASF SE, South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI, and Samsung Electronics.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The partners have signed a contract with German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to improve the living conditions of communities based in areas surrounding cobalt mining zones.

DRC is home to the world’s largest known reserves of cobalt, which is used in making batteries that power electric vehicles and phones. The demand for cobalt and lithium is on the rise as carmakers are increasingly focused on launching more environmentally friendly electric models.

Between 80% and 85% of the country’s cobalt production comes from industrial mining, while around 15% of the production is contributed by artisanal mines.

The partnership aims to address the challenges associated with artisanal cobalt mining in the areas of environment, health and safety, and human rights.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

According to BMW, the scope of the project will cover one pilot mine within the next three years.

“These measures could then be scaled up to other legal artisanal mine sites and enhance systemic challenges.”

None of the partners in the joint project will operate the mine; it will be operated by a local cooperative. The objective of the project is to identify workable solutions that improve working conditions at the mining site.

In a statement, BMW said: “If proven effective, these measures could then be scaled up to other legal artisanal mine sites and enhance systemic challenges in the longer run.”

Prior to the launch of the pilot project, a feasibility study was jointly conducted by GIZ and BMW.