“A supplier of cobalt to Apple Inc. is joining with others in the industry to try to ensure the metal used in rechargeable batteries is sourced ethically after some mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the top producer, were found to be dangerous or employ child labor,” Thomas Wilson reports for Bloomberg.
“China’s Huayou Cobalt Co. is among refiners, miners, gadget firms and global carmakers collaborating in the Better Cobalt trial project that seeks to track supply from Congo mines to the batteries used in phones and vehicles, said Nicholas Garrett, a director at the Better Sourcing Program running the pilot,” Wilson reports. “He declined to name other members while contracts are being completed.”
Wilson reports, “The pilot will assess safety at five small-scale and artisanal mines in Congo’s southeast, and for the first time attempt to electronically track cobalt from the sites to ensure it isn’t mixed with metal from unknown sources, Garrett said.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: This is, at least, a step in the right direction that was compelled by Apple.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s potential cobalt mining play is about more than money – February 22, 2018
Why Apple wants its own supply of cobalt – February 21, 2018
Apple in talks to buy cobalt directly from miners – February 21, 2018
Apple promises to one day stop mining minerals to make iPhones – April 20, 2017
Apple continues supply chain transparency as Trump administration considers suspending conflict mineral requirements – March 27, 2017
Apple takes groundbreaking steps to combat deadly trade in conflict minerals – April 1, 2016
Apple says they’re making progress eliminating conflict minerals – February 12, 2015
Where Apple gets the tantalum for your iPhone – February 5, 2015
Greenpeace praises Apple for reducing use of conflict minerals – February 13, 2014
Apple confirms suppliers use conflict-free minerals – February 13, 2014
Good stuff Apple, maintain that integrity and morality as they are in such short supply. I look forward to seeing more changes that put humanity first.
I am sorry, this is more PR and window dressing then genuine concern for the environment and ethical use of labour, especially when countries like China is concerned.