Tesla sources cobalt from Democratic Republic of Congo

[Mometaskers]

snip

Yes before 2003. It's still a savage country but going from making children into soldiers and sex slaves to employ is some progress. It's Africa. These people used to murder women and children with machetes only a decade ago.

Oh, I thought that was Rwanda. I just hope this income from cobalt would actually lift the country from poverty rather than become another resource curse, like diamonds were for other countries in Africa.

[Spendulus]

snip

Yes before 2003. It's still a savage country but going from making children into soldiers and sex slaves to employ is some progress. It's Africa. These people used to murder women and children with machetes only a decade ago.

Oh, I thought that was Rwanda. I just hope this income from cobalt would actually lift the country from poverty rather than become another resource curse, like diamonds were for other countries in Africa.

....

 Never think that your own experience is adequate to solve a problem in Africa. One day on the ground there is quite enlightening.

Africa is at once beautiful, and terrifying.

[audaciousbeing]

DRC uses child labor.

Every Tesla/powerwall sold is using child labor.

What's the societal impact of child labor on finished products?

Its disheartening that countries themselves cannot protect children that are the most vulnerable members of the society but are waiting for corporations outside the country to comply with corporate standards and frustrate them to do the right thing which is what is happening in DRC. Tesla will release a statement to talk about how they are ensuring their workflow does not involve child labor but really who will go around checking everyday to ensure this is being complied with? It can only be reduced but not eradicated and its not Tesla's fault to wanting to source raw material where it expect it to be the cheapest for it to carry out its own activities. The shame is on the government and people of DRC who have failed to protect its citizen and future of the country in no distant time.

[squatz1]

snip

Yes before 2003. It's still a savage country but going from making children into soldiers and sex slaves to employ is some progress. It's Africa. These people used to murder women and children with machetes only a decade ago.

Oh, I thought that was Rwanda. I just hope this income from cobalt would actually lift the country from poverty rather than become another resource curse, like diamonds were for other countries in Africa.

Yeah that's not going to happen when the country is plagued by corruption, abuses by the government, and no democracy at all.

Like yes -- would it be great if the government there would take some of the money from the cobalt mines and put it towards developing schools in the area, or further healthcare research, or something along those lines.

It truly would be great -- but it's going into the pockets of warlords.

[Mometaskers]

Oh, I thought that was Rwanda. I just hope this income from cobalt would actually lift the country from poverty rather than become another resource curse, like diamonds were for other countries in Africa.

Yeah that's not going to happen when the country is plagued by corruption, abuses by the government, and no democracy at all.

Like yes -- would it be great if the government there would take some of the money from the cobalt mines and put it towards developing schools in the area, or further healthcare research, or something along those lines.

It truly would be great -- but it's going into the pockets of warlords.

Well one is free to dream. Botswana managed to escape the chaos and wars that befell the other diamond-producing countries so they might be doing something right that heavy exporting countries like DRC can learn from. Rwanda also made several improvements since the 94 genocide it seems.

I believe there would definitely be development in these rare resource exporting countries, especially with China starting to invest in them. What that would that mean for the people is what's uncertain, especially since China isn't particular about their partner's policies regarding rights, etc.

[squatz1]

Oh, I thought that was Rwanda. I just hope this income from cobalt would actually lift the country from poverty rather than become another resource curse, like diamonds were for other countries in Africa.

Yeah that's not going to happen when the country is plagued by corruption, abuses by the government, and no democracy at all.

Like yes -- would it be great if the government there would take some of the money from the cobalt mines and put it towards developing schools in the area, or further healthcare research, or something along those lines.

It truly would be great -- but it's going into the pockets of warlords.

Well one is free to dream. Botswana managed to escape the chaos and wars that befell the other diamond-producing countries so they might be doing something right that heavy exporting countries like DRC can learn from. Rwanda also made several improvements since the 94 genocide it seems.

I believe there would definitely be development in these rare resource exporting countries, especially with China starting to invest in them. What that would that mean for the people is what's uncertain, especially since China isn't particular about their partner's policies regarding rights, etc.

Oh do I think it is possible for this to happen? Yes. But you truly do need to have a government which is willing to give up power and to have faith in their system. You can't think you're the only person who can do your job, or that you're the only hope for the development of the country.

Typically rulers in these countries lead for decades, because they think they're the only hope for this country. When in reality they're not.

You have to believe in the system of your nation, and not the system of yourself.

[Rikafip]

Well one is free to dream. Botswana managed to escape the chaos and wars that befell the other diamond-producing countries so they might be doing something right that heavy exporting countries like DRC can learn from. Rwanda also made several improvements since the 94 genocide it seems.

I believe there would definitely be development in these rare resource exporting countries, especially with China starting to invest in them. What that would that mean for the people is what's uncertain, especially since China isn't particular about their partner's policies regarding rights, etc.

Unfortunately DR Congo and Botswana have very different last 100-120 years, even though they were both colonies. DR Congo history is way more violent with longer history of exploitation, and way less democratic. As @squatz1 mentioned, their presidents tend to rule until they die, while Botswana has longest streak of democratic elections in Africa.
Botswana was once as poor as DR Congo, but their political stability helped them to use their natural sources properly, and until that is improved in DR Congo, there won't be much progress, no matter what kind of natural resource they find there.

Regarding children working in those mines, some are definitely forced to do that, but for some that is  the only way to get money for food. I read some interview recently with 11 yo that is mining cobalt. His parents are dead, and all he has is his grandma, and it is up to him to provide food. Kids there don't really have much choice, eventually they could be recruited as child soldiers, as that is still going on there. Sadly, there are worse things than Cobalt mining for kids there...

[Mbatu]

DRC uses child labor.

Every Tesla/powerwall sold is using child labor.

What's the societal impact of child labor on finished products?

I was born in Cameroon and I spend a lot of time doing business in Africa, the reality of 'exploitation' in Africa often comes down to the following quote

"the only thing worse than being exploited, is not to be exploited!"
- Joan Robinson

[Mometaskers]

snip

Oh do I think it is possible for this to happen? Yes. But you truly do need to have a government which is willing to give up power and to have faith in their system. You can't think you're the only person who can do your job, or that you're the only hope for the development of the country.

Typically rulers in these countries lead for decades, because they think they're the only hope for this country. When in reality they're not.

Without intervention, it'll be a slow climb. As the people's lives improves and become economically-free, they'd start asking for political-freedom, with more say on decision-making.

snip

Unfortunately DR Congo and Botswana have very different last 100-120 years, even though they were both colonies. DR Congo history is way more violent with longer history of exploitation, and way less democratic. As @squatz1 mentioned, their presidents tend to rule until they die, while Botswana has longest streak of democratic elections in Africa.
Botswana was once as poor as DR Congo, but their political stability helped them to use their natural sources properly, and until that is improved in DR Congo, there won't be much progress, no matter what kind of natural resource they find there.

Regarding children working in those mines, some are definitely forced to do that, but for some that is  the only way to get money for food. I read some interview recently with 11 yo that is mining cobalt. His parents are dead, and all he has is his grandma, and it is up to him to provide food. Kids there don't really have much choice, eventually they could be recruited as child soldiers, as that is still going on there. Sadly, there are worse things than Cobalt mining for kids there...

Most article I've read chalk it up to luck and determination, with a group Tswana chieftains even going so far as to travel to England to set-up proper diplomatic ties. So yes, they managed to secure political stability and that has helped them weather the diamond discovery.

Currently, I think it'll be better for the government to grow big enough first to stamp down armed groups which is hurting the stability of the country (these are those that hire children as child soldiers). Then the political freedom for the people will come later as more of them become affluent enough. Of course some people would think it should be the reverse but that's just my opinion.

[KingScorpio]

DRC uses child labor.

Every Tesla/powerwall sold is using child labor.

What's the societal impact of child labor on finished products?

investing into africa becomes pure madness.

eurasia is the way forward.

[iluvbitcoins]

DRC uses child labor.

Every Tesla/powerwall sold is using child labor.

What's the societal impact of child labor on finished products?

I was born in Cameroon and I spend a lot of time doing business in Africa, the reality of 'exploitation' in Africa often comes down to the following quote

"the only thing worse than being exploited, is not to be exploited!"
- Joan Robinson

It is these leftists idiots that don't understand that banning child labor will kill the children.

If these kids didn't work, they wouldn't have anything to eat.

They aren't slaves. They don't work because someone forces them to.
They work so they can earn food.

If companies didn't purchase their products they would die from starvation.

You can't sign your way to prosperity.
It's the current reality that African countries have almost no incentive to be invested in because of bad laws etc. that caused people to earn so little with their work that parents simply can't earn enough to feed themselves&their children in the same time.
In a lot of cases the kids need to work if they want to live.
The only thing that can change that is to open up the market and set way for the market forces to increase the wages&prosperity.

[n0ne]

If these kids didn't work, they wouldn't have anything to eat.

They aren't slaves. They don't work because someone forces them to.
They work so they can earn food.

If companies didn't purchase their products they would die from starvation.

This is true, but when we go deep to know the beginning for such a situation. It is the corporate network that evade the resources for their benefits through some agreement as the natives doesn't know the value of the resources and its usage. This at some point busted and natives took control. Now though the natives mine and sell the minerals it is the corporate who fix the price. This is the reason for such a worse suffering of kids. Not only Tesla each and every firm benefiting out of it is supposed to do what is necessary and give the life the kids deserve.

[ðºÞæ]

Tesla is suppose to be environment friendly. Well the first step is to be able to repair something which is legally yours and not throw it on land fill.
Companies should be required to produce schematics and repair manuals that a freely available for any product they release.
Tesla Hacker: The Rogue Mechanic Taking On Tesla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ytm_GnTkl0