Because the children of the Congo are NOT the children of Cupertino -- you know that, Brother! I've known about this for some time, which is why I still only have an iPhone9!!

The 1961 execution of Patrice Lumumba by Belgium & U.S. (CIA)-backed actors, in conjunction with the UK's MI-6 was ALL about mining (as well as the fear of the spread of communism since the Soviet Union helped Lumumba after Congolese independence when NOBODY in the West would).

But those Cupertino folk shouldn't breathe too easy though -- cuz from the Changeling's Administration on, this government's been working on mining rare earth metals right here in the U.S. (mostly on, or near indigenous lands, of course). You see, they're mad cuz they still have to deal with, and depend mostly on China (its prices & restrictions), which controls about 80 - 90% of the cobalt they need for not only all the other things you mentioned but MOST importantly -- for military equipment!).

Your suggestions to fix the problem are good, but I think the larger solution falls to this greedy, capitalist government which never seems satiated and is forever at war. Not until we, the people, are able to really come together and stand up and say enough, getting rid of the corrupt warmongers and the corporations who support them for profit -- I'm thinking the future's gonna be pretty bleak for your baby and my grand babies for sure.