Amnesty International is calling for greater transparency with regard to the possible use of cobalt linked to slavery and child labour in the manufacturing of electric vehicles . Smelters are a key step in conflict minerals due diligence since they process and refine these raw ores — and send processed materials to manufacturers in Asia and around the globe. The Washington Post has been investigating the use of cobalt in battery - dependent products like mobile phones and laptops . The investigation has added weight to calls by NGOs and other groups to have cobalt added to the list of “ conflict minerals ” . Over 50 % of global cobalt production is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , an area strongly associated with “ conflict minerals ” .
Amnesty International is calling for greater transparency with regard to the possible use of cobalt linked to slavery and child labour in the manufacturing of electric vehicles . The Washington Post has been investigating the use of cobalt in battery - dependent products like mobile phones and laptops . The investigation has added weight to calls by NGOs and other groups to have cobalt added to the list of “ conflict minerals ” . Over 50 % of global cobalt production is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , an area strongly associated with “ conflict minerals ” .