From the Bookshelf of Play Book Tag…

Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives

Siddharth Kara

Discussion: 2024 Activities and Challenges

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 62 topics — 7,957 comments total

2024 Activities and Challenges

Final Steeplechase Announcements and Rewards
By Booknblues · 18 posts · 39 views

last updated Jan 11, 2025 07:27PM

Final Books with Friends Announcements and Awards
By Anita · 37 posts · 38 views

last updated Dec 30, 2024 05:32AM

showing 9 of 9 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jan 01, 2023 LibraryCin rated it liked it

Shelves: history, africa, politics, technology, congo, mining

3.5 stars

In the Western world, almost all our technological devices use rechargeable batteries, and with the push to move to more electronic vehicles, there are more and more rechargeables needed. A good amount of cobalt goes into each of those batteries, and the Congo is where you’ll find the majority of cobalt to be mined.

Unfortunately the bulk of the people who do that mining are “artisanal” miners – they are mining on their own, so to speak; they are not employed by any company. They are ex ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2023 Susan Tunis rated it really liked it

4.5 stars.

3 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2025 Jen K rated it it was amazing

A powerful and heart breaking look at the human rights atrocities involved in mining cobalt which is used for longevity in batteries for smart phones, tablets, laptops and electric (EV) vehicles. All the trying to do the right thing for the environment really is devasting the landscape and people of the DRC.

Kara travels several times to visit the DRC visiting government officials, mine leadership and especially the communities of the mines especially the "artisan miners" which is a fancy term f ...more

Like · see review