Chinese Approaches to Overseas Responsible Business – Insights from the DRC Cobalt Industry

"Chinese Approaches to Overseas Responsible Business", October 2021

This research report aims to increase the knowledge of European business and policy makers regarding Chinese approaches to practicing business operations in overseas contexts responsibly. This is important, as China represents 52 percent of the total value of imports of products on which the EU is strategically dependent, and because the sourcing of some of these products, such as cobalt, is associated with serious problems related to responsible business. Increased knowledge is essential for drafting European strategies to improve responsible business practices in Chinese overseas supply chains, for which this report provides recommendations.

Business & Human Rights
Resource Centre

Gulf energy explorer: Renewables, rights and risks

10 years on: A call to concrete action for a powerful legally binding instrument - Webinar series

Weekly Update 27 November | China: Microsoft & Google linked to surveillance startups

Rush to renewables: Toward migrant worker rights and a just energy transition in the Gulf

In the EU clean energy race, which interests win out? Rushing to secure access to minerals, or putting human rights first?

Effective participation of affected communities in the Treaty process – a perspective from Latin America

Our database: Using filters

International Advisory Network

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Gulf energy explorer: Renewables, rights and risks

10 years on: A call to concrete action for a powerful legally binding instrument - Webinar series

Weekly Update 27 November | China: Microsoft & Google linked to surveillance startups

Rush to renewables: Toward migrant worker rights and a just energy transition in the Gulf

In the EU clean energy race, which interests win out? Rushing to secure access to minerals, or putting human rights first?

Effective participation of affected communities in the Treaty process – a perspective from Latin America

Our database: Using filters

International Advisory Network

Chinese Approaches to Overseas Responsible Business – Insights from the DRC Cobalt Industry

Timeline

DRC: Cobalt mining firms allegedly using subcontractors to evade accountability for poor working conditions

DR Congo: Report reveals strategies used by Ruashi Mining to avoid responsibility for human rights violations; incl. company response

Renewable energy at what cost? A closer look at DRC’s nascent lithium sector

DR Congo: Clean energy revolution sets off US-China competition for cobalt but cycles of exploitation remain unresolved

DR Congo: China’s dominance of copper-cobalt mines raises concern as Congolese workers complain of unfair pay and degrading treatment

DRC: Workers mining Cobalt for electric vehicles report abuse, low wages & racial discrimination

DRC: Report reveals dire working conditions, discrimination & low pay across cobalt mines supplying electric vehicle manufacturers

Chinese Approaches to Overseas Responsible Business – Insights from the DRC Cobalt Industry

DRC: Government reviews $6 billion "infrastructure-for-minerals" deal with Chinese investors