CMOC Commits to Supporting The Hub to Prevent and Remediate Child Labour in Cobalt Mining Communities in the DRC

CMOC, the leading global producer of copper and cobalt, is one of the latest actors to support The Hub for Child Labour Prevention and Remediation in the DRC – a multistakeholder programme managed by The Centre for Child Rights and Business that is connecting businesses along the cobalt supply chain to a local network of resources and systems that identify, remediate and prevent child labour over the long-term.

CMOC recognises the need to support child rights in the copper and cobalt supply chain, particularly the most vulnerable children in communities within their mining concession in the DRC. As part of this commitment, CMOC and its subsidiary Tenke Fungurume Mining SA (TFM) worked with The Centre to conduct a household study in 2024 on TFM’s sprawling mining concession east of Kolwezi in the DRC. The aim of the study was to identify the risks and root causes of child labour connected to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), which would then form the basis of a child labour prevention and remediation strategy going forward. The mapping exercise also enabled CMOC and TFM to identify vulnerable children to connect to The Hub’s remediation programme.

907 households were surveyed in 32 sites, 18 villages and 14 neighbourhoods. 2889 children were represented through the survey, with further data gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. This led to the identification of a series of child labour prevention and remediation activities that CMOC and TFM will prioritise in 2025 together with The Hub.

Furthermore, 3 children are now integrated into The Hub’s child labour remediation programme and will receive ongoing support in the form of a monthly living stipend, education support and a dedicated case manager who will be in regular contact with the children’s families. A further 14 children will join the programme in the coming weeks.

“At CMOC, we are committed to advancing human rights due diligence and promoting responsible business practices beyond our own operations. By engaging with ASM communities and providing remediation, we hope to contribute to a responsible mineral value chain where all stakeholders can benefit from energy transition.” Said Julie Liang, Vice President of ESG at CMOC.

The Hub’s child labour remediation programme tackles the root causes of child labour, ensuring children have no reason to return to mines and are set up for better opportunities as they reach working age. By improving access to education, offering apprenticeship programmes, and creating pathways to decent work, the programme helps break the cycle of child labour. Its impact extends to entire families – last year, over 81 siblings received indirect support. This extra help can be the difference between children being forced to leave school to work or staying in education and building a future that supports their families.

“Seeing my child regain his childhood thanks to The Hub’s remediation programme is a great relief. Alone to raise my children since the passing of their father, nothing works anymore. Thank you very much for this opportunity,” said the mother of one of the children in the remediation programme.

By investing in The Hub, CMOC and TFM now have access to a coordinated system that can respond to child labour cases in ASM communities and provide long-term remediation in line with key human rights due diligence requirements.

To learn more about The Hub for Child Labour Prevention and Remediation, please visit: www.clrhub.org