Cobalt, mined as a by-product of copper or nickel, has become a highly sought-after material for low-carbon energy systems. The problem is that more than 50% of the world's reserves lie in the Democratic Republic of Congo (3.6 million tons available for extraction). The DRC is also where the majority of conflict minerals are sourced and are known to have many human rights issues in mineral mining including forced labor, child labor, and inhumane working conditions. Mica faces similar issues in India and Madagascar, where child labor and dangerous work conditions are commonplace.