PostHole
Compose
Login
The Ghost in Your Phone
It's hot. A mother works outside, a baby strapped to her back. The two of them breathe in toxic dust, day after day. And they're just two of thousands, cramped so close together it's hard to move, all facing down the mountain of cobalt stone. Cobalt mining is one of the world's most dangerous jobs. And it's also one of the most essential: cobalt is what powers the batteries in your smartphone, your laptop, the electric car you felt good about buying. More than three-quarters of the world's cobalt supply lies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose abundant resources have drawn greed and grifters for centuries. Today on the show: the fight for control of those resources, and for the dignity of the people who produce them.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
####
Throughline
NPR
####
Throughline
Get perks with [Podcast Title]+
Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.
-->
The Ghost in Your Phone
June 1, 202312:15 AM ET
[Ramtin Arablouei, co-host and co-producer of Throughline.]
The Ghost in Your Phone
****
Listen
52:19
52:19
[****
Transcript](https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1179117816)
<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1179117816/1200556163" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
[****
Transcript](https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1179117816)