Lead Acid Battery Maintenance in the Republic of Congo

Can the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials?

London and Kinshasa, November 24, 2021 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can leverage its abundant cobalt resources and hydroelectric power to become a low-cost and low-emissions producer of lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials.

Are lead-acid batteries causing lead poisoning in DR Congo?

Lead-acid batteries contain several kilogrammes of lead, a potent neurotoxin that is estimated to affect almost 24 million children in DR Congo. Experts say the unsafe repair of lead-acid batteries is likely to be a leading source of lead poisoning in Kinshasa [Lisa Murray/Al Jazeera]

How dangerous is lead in the DRC?

While there is a dearth of information on the health effects of lead in the DRC, it is estimated that almost 24 million children in the country have blood lead levels of more than 5 microgrammes per decilitre – the level at which the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires a public health response.

How can Africa extend its access to the battery industry?

In so doing, the country and the rest of Africa can extend their access from the USD271 billion battery precursor segment to the more lucrative USD1.4 trillion combined battery cell production and cell assembly segments of the battery minerals global value chain.

Are lead-acid batteries a leading source of lead poisoning?

Experts say the unsafe repair of lead-acid batteries, which contain several kilos of the toxic substance, is likely to be a leading source of lead poisoning in the city. “As soon as you break open a battery, you’re polluting,” said Andreas Manhart, a senior researcher at Oeko-Institut’s Sustainable Products & Material Flows Division.

Is Africa a good place to buy a battery?

Africa has a wealth of critical battery raw materials and is in a position to use these to attract more value-add in downstream processing and manufacturing.”