Cobalt and tin: the social impacts of mining in supply chains
Minerals used in batteries, electronics and packaging connect everyday products to global supply chains. Assessing the environmental impacts of extraction is important, but it does not tell the whole story: working conditions, occupational health and safety, human rights and community livelihoods also matter.
Cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cobalt is used in a range of technologies, including some rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo plays a central role in global production. Some artisanal and small-scale mining has been associated with hazardous working conditions, health risks and concerns about child labour and traceability.
Corporate zero-tolerance policies do not, by themselves, guarantee visibility across every tier of a supply chain. Traceability, due diligence and improvements in mining conditions require ongoing action by companies, governments, suppliers and local organizations.
Tin and marine mining in Indonesia
In Indonesia, tin extraction in coastal areas and on the seabed has raised environmental and social concerns. In addition to occupational risks, changes to coastal habitats and fishing grounds can affect resource availability and the livelihoods of communities that depend on these activities.
These examples show why raw-material assessment should not be limited to geological scarcity or aggregated environmental impacts. The location of extraction, the type of operation and its relationship with local communities all influence the risk profile.
The role of Social Life Cycle Assessment
Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) provides a framework for investigating potential social impacts across a value chain. Depending on the goal and available data, relevant topics may include workers' rights, health and safety, child labour, living conditions, community rights and governance mechanisms.
S-LCA should not be treated as an automatic label or a substitute for due diligence. It is an assessment approach that requires transparent indicators, appropriate sources and careful interpretation. In complex supply chains, combining life cycle assessment, traceability and stakeholder engagement can reveal risks that an environmental assessment alone may miss.