Paper short abstract:

Through the case of cobalt mining in the DRC this paper unpacks how responsible sourcing discourses contribute to (de)legitimizing mining activities, with a risk of reinforcing historical power inequalities and extractive patterns rather than achieving the change they claim to be pushing for.

Paper long abstract:

Following a rapid increase of demand for the mineral cobalt, as a key element of ‘green’ end-products such as electric vehicles, awareness has increased on the often dire working conditions of artisanal cobalt miners in the DRC. In the face of these market and sustainability pressures coming together, a diversity of actors has mobilized a, as I conceptualize it, responsible cobalt assemblage. Within this assemblage ‘responsible cobalt’, rendered technical through a range of multi-stakeholder initiatives pushing for ASM formalization, is being presented as the key to (1) combatting the climate crisis, (2) boosting the Congolese economy, and (3) fostering development.

Contributing to a broader literature on the mining-sustainability nexus, this paper focusses on the multi-dimensional concept of legitimacy, and specifically how responsible sourcing (RS) discourses contribute to (de)legitimizing ASM formalization efforts. Using RS discourses justifies developments such as the recent inauguration of the Musompo Trading Center by President Tshisekedi as well as industry-led initiatives including the Fair Cobalt Alliance and RCS Better Mining. Yet while enabling state and industry actors to continue and increase their cobalt production, benefits at the level of artisanal miners are lagging behind. Adding to studies already pointing to a gap between ‘responsible’ rhetoric and on-the-ground realities, both in cobalt mining as in other so-called ‘transition’ and ‘conflict mineral’ supply chains, this paper flags legitimacy issues in responsible cobalt initiatives. In their current form, responsible cobalt initiatives risk reinforcing historical power inequalities and extractive patterns rather than achieving the change they claim to be pushing for.