Clean cars, dirty batteries

2021-08-03

LUBUMBASHI / KOLWEZI / BERLIN - Manufacturers need cobalt to make batteries for electric cars. This documentary reveals the European car industry's efforts to establish proper supply chains and exposes the reality of cobalt mining in the Congo.

Anyone who buys an electric car wants a vehicle that has the least possible environmental impact. However, manufacturers need cobalt to make the batteries for electric cars. This precious raw material is mined in conditions that cause human suffering.

The 45-minute documentary Clean Cars, Dirty Batteries: Cobalt Mining in the Congo was broadcast on the German public TV channel ZDFinfo. It shows the efforts of the European car industry to ensure proper supply chains and reveals that this is impossible in the cobalt mines of the Congo.

Team members

Carina Körner

Carina Körner is an investigative journalist from Germany.

Eric Tony Mwamba

Eric Mwamba is a Congolese-Australian journalist.

Vanessa Schlesier

Vanessa Schlesier is a freelance TV-journalist based in Berlin.

Lukas Augustin

Lukas Augustin is a filmmaker and journalist based in Berlin, Germany.

Supported

€8,000 allocated on 14/12/2018

MT/2018/043

Grant

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