May 2024 Action

Among the numerous atrocities committed in the mining of industrial minerals, Amnesty International has highlighted the following campaign: “The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the largest reserve of cobalt in the world and the seventh-largest of copper, and both minerals are used to produce lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power our smartphones, laptops, electric cars, and more. The push for newer, ‘green’ technologies has caused the demand for cobalt to triple since 2010. To expand mine development, people are being forcibly evicted from their houses. Thousands of people have lost their homes, schools, hospitals and communities.”

(Source: https://www.amnestyusa.org/campaigns/stop-forced-evictions-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/)

Write to Secretary Blinken to insist the US use its influential relationship with the DRC to ensure mining practices that do not exploit vulnerable families mineral-rich areas. Use the sample letter below to craft your own petition.

Write to:

Secretary Blinken
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Sample letter:

Dear Secretary Blinken,

When Felix Tshisekedi was initially elected President of the Democratic Republic of Congo his administration promised that things would be different, and the rich mineral resources of the DRC would benefit its people first. However, research by Amnesty International and the Initiative for Good Governance and Human Rights tells a grimmer story. Frontline communities living in and around Kolwezi are forcibly evicted from their homes and farmlands to pave the way for industrial cobalt and copper mining, often without proper consultation or just and fair compensation.

These findings also show that resettlement options are scarce, and alternative housing lacks basic amenities and social infrastructure such as schools, health centers or recreational sites.

The Biden Administration has regularly touted both its rights-centered foreign policy as well as a commitment to a just energy transition. It is vital the U.S. lives up to its own stated principles. Given the close working relationship between the U.S. and the DRC, I urge you to:

  • Ask President Tshisekedi to put a moratorium on further mass evictions in the mining sector; and
  • Support the new Congolese government in implementing procedures and laws to protect the rights of frontline mining communities. This includes sharing best practices from other resource rich countries and financial support to conduct meaningful consultations with impacted communities; and
  • Work with U.S. based companies and investors to ensure they are following Congolese law.

I urge you to use the momentum of Tshisekedi’s recent re-election to encourage change in Congolese mining practices. As the U.S. benefits from Congolese resources, it is vital to support a just energy transition and ensure Congolese communities are not left behind.