The cobalt in your phone, computer and electric car is mined in conditions of modern-day slavery 70-75% of the world’s cobalt is produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where so-called “artisanal” miners working with their bare hands and basic tools are paid ~$2 a day (and less than half that if they’re women and children). Big traders like Glencore (Switzerland), Trafigura (Singapore) and Huayou Cobalt (#China) operate enrichment plants in the country, mixing the cheaply bought