Artisanal cobalt mining communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: resilience against cannibal capitalism

Artisanal cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) confront exploitative working conditions, hazardous labor, and societal degradation. This paper employs Nancy Fraser's cannibal capitalism framework to both theorize and empirically ground an analysis of artisanal cobalt mining in the DRC. Critical discourse analysis of documentary evidence demonstrates the harmful effects of capitalist extraction on social reproduction, democratic institutions, and environmental sustainability. Beyond theoretical application, this research contributes new empirical insights into the debate on extractivism and responsible minerals sourcing, revealing how capitalist systems systematically extract value from both human labor and environmental resources. Located at the intersection of human settlements, resources, and law, this research focuses on transformative policies and legal frameworks that prioritize equitable resource governance, social justice, and human rights. By centering community voices and examining both exploitation and resistance practices, this paper fosters understanding of long-term and equitable development pathways in the DRC and contributes to critical conversations about extractive industries by underlining linked oppressions and the necessity of community-led initiatives.