What is a human life worth to you? How many people must suffer and die for the Western world’s technological convenience? When will this endless appetite for more finally be satisfied? Do we truly need new phones, new cars, new tablets or is it time to confront the cost of our unchecked consumption?

Our mission is to raise awareness about the human cost behind new mineral mining and technology production, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Major corporations like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and Dell have been named in lawsuits for their complicity in exploitation and child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These companies knowingly benefit from cobalt mined under inhumane conditions, where children as young as six work in dangerous, inhumane, unregulated mines for a fraction of what their labour is worth. Despite their vast wealth and resources, these tech giants continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering in their supply chains, prioritising profits over human lives. They should not be allowed to escape accountability for the human rights violations that fuel their products. It’s time for these corporations to take responsibility, end their reliance on unethical practices, and invest in fair, transparent supply chains that do not exploit vulnerable communities, at the very minimum.

The United Kingdom's involvement in mining practices within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has raised concerns regarding the endorsement of inhumane conditions. The UK government has acknowledged the prevalence of human rights violations in the DRC, including massacres, kidnappings, sexual violence, and child recruitment, designating it as a Human Rights Priority Country. Despite this recognition, there have been instances where UK-based companies have been implicated in unethical mining practices in the DRC. For example, the UK company Afrimex was found to have breached the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises by purchasing minerals from conflict zones in the DRC, indirectly financing armed groups responsible for human rights abuses. 

Furthermore, the UK government has faced legal challenges for allegedly failing to hold UK companies accountable for trading in conflict minerals from the DRC. In 2010, the campaign group Global Witness initiated legal action against the UK government for not referring UK firms to UN sanctions, despite evidence of their involvement in the Congolese conflict mineral trade. These instances suggest that, while the UK government publicly acknowledges human rights concerns in the DRC, there have been lapses in effectively regulating and holding UK-linked entities accountable for their involvement in unethical mining practices.

Additionally, the UK's recent partnership with Saudi Arabia to secure critical minerals has raised concerns due to Saudi Arabia's documented human rights abuses, particularly in labour practices. Amnesty International has reported severe labour exploitation in Saudi Arabia, including cases likely amounting to human trafficking. 

Despite these reports, the UK government is pursuing closer economic ties with Saudi Arabia in the mining sector.

We, the undersigned, call on our government, corporations, & organisations to impose an immediate moratorium on their endorsement of mining of new minerals for technology. This includes materials like cobalt, coltan, lithium, and rare earth elements, which are critical components in producing smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other modern technologies.

The tech industry cannot continue to profit at the expense of human lives and ecosystems. By refusing to endorse new mining, governments can force the industry to innovate responsibly and ethically.

We urge government to impose a moratorium on new mining until ethical labour practices, environmental safeguards, and sustainable solutions are implemented!

We urge you, the reader, to commit to buying only used or refurbished technology. By making this choice, you can help reduce the demand that drives the relentless cycle of new mining and exploitation. Together, we can take meaningful steps toward a more ethical and sustainable future.

Why this petition matters:

Human Rights Violations

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a critical mineral for batteries. Many miners, including children, work in hazardous, unregulated conditions for meager pay, often risking their lives.

Systemic Violence

Mining in regions like the DRC has fueled conflict, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and genocide. Armed groups often control mining operations, perpetuating instability and human suffering.

Modern-Day Slavery

Many workers in the mining industry are coerced into labour under exploitative conditions, lacking basic protections and freedoms.

Environmental Devastation

Deforestation and Habitat Destruction Mining operations clear vast areas of forests, destroying habitats for countless species, including endangered ones.

Pollution

Toxic waste from mining contaminates water supplies and soil, impacting local ecosystems and communities reliant on these resources.

Carbon Footprint

Mining and refining minerals are energy-intensive, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and worsening climate change.

Unsustainable Practices

The global demand for new technology drives an unsustainable cycle of mining, production, and disposal. This leads to mountains of e-waste—millions of tons annually—much of which is improperly recycled or dumped in the Global South.

A continued focus on new mining ignores the potential of existing materials. Up to 80% of e-waste is recyclable, yet much of it goes unused due to inefficient systems and lack of investment in circular economies.

OUR DEMANDS

Halt New Mining Projects

We urge governments to impose a moratorium on new mining until ethical labour practices, environmental safeguards, and sustainable solutions are implemented.

Invest in Recycling and Reuse

Develop and fund robust systems to reclaim and reuse minerals from e-waste.

Support research into alternative materials and methods that reduce reliance on mined resources.

Hold Corporations Accountable

Require tech companies to audit their supply chains and ensure fair wages, safe conditions, and environmental compliance.

Enforce penalties on corporations that profit from unethical mining practices.

Support Affected Communities

Provide aid and reparations to communities devastated by mining.

Reparations are not simply charity- they are a necessary act of accountability. Those who have profited from the exploitation of these communities must take responsibility for the harm they have caused and work to repair it. By supporting reparations, we can begin to build a future rooted in justice and fairness.

Create opportunities for ethical employment and sustainable development in mining regions.

Promote Secondhand Technology

Incentivise the use of refurbished and secondhand devices to reduce demand for new materials.

Educate consumers on the impact of “new tech culture” and advocate for mindful consumption.

Why Governments Must Act Now

The exploitation of vulnerable communities and irreversible environmental destruction will not stop unless decisive action is taken. Governments hold the power to regulate industries, fund sustainable alternatives, and hold corporations accountable.

The climate crisis is at a tipping point. Mining’s carbon footprint jeopardises global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. Transitioning to a circular economy for technology is not just a moral imperative but a critical step in combating climate change.

The tech industry cannot continue to profit at the expense of human lives and ecosystems. By refusing to endorse new mining, governments can force the industry to innovate responsibly and ethically.

Sign the Petition

Join us in demanding a future where technology is ethical, sustainable, and just. Together, we can push for systemic change and stand in solidarity with those who suffer from the greed-driven extraction of our planet’s resources.