“Landscape Analysis of Cobalt Mining Activities from 2009 to 2021 Using Very High Resolution Satellite Data (Democratic Republic of the Congo)”

Cobalt blue, oil, acrylic, and graphite on canvas.

80 x 386 cm

Satellite imagery seemingly offers great potential for studying the impacts of extractive industries on ecosystems. In the case of cobalt mining in Kolwezi, DRC, satellite imagery has helped in "quantifying the true scale and impact" of mining activities on the town and its surrounding landscape.

Images from the Earth’s orbit claim a global perspective, seemingly capturing all of humanity and the Earth from an unbiased, anonymous vantage point. However, the spectacle of satellite imagery, with its global scale and high definition, captivates viewers, leaving its image production and blind spots unseen. Despite its apparent objectivity and universality, satellite imagery is structured by the military-industrial complex.

Behind the mesmerizing satellite image lies a complex web of political, economic, and social relations. Satellite imaging technology traces back to the Cold War-era U.S. military, originally developed for surveillance. Despite becoming publicly available, it remains closely linked to the interests of the military-industrial complex. For instance, all the satellites used in this study on cobalt mining in Kolwezi are owned by military contractors. From a satellite's perspective, landscapes and people become targets, assets, and resources for surveillance, extraction, or elimination. Consequently, satellite images of mining activities become a spectacle of violence where there is a profound loss of subjectivity and voice in the land and people.