Cobalt(mining) Production by Country 2022 #cobalt
0Cobalt is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries, electronics, and electric vehicles. Global cobalt production is heavily concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being the dominant producer, accounting for about 70% of global output. The DRC's vast reserves and mining industry have made it the key player in the global cobalt market, but the country's mining practices, including concerns over labor conditions, have raised ethical questions.
Other significant producers include Russia, Australia, and Cuba. Russia ranks second in cobalt production, mainly as a by-product of nickel mining. Australia, with its large nickel reserves, also contributes to cobalt output, particularly from mines in Western Australia. Cuba's cobalt comes primarily from laterite ores, which also produce nickel.
In recent years, countries like Canada, the Philippines, and Madagascar have also increased production. With the growing demand for electric vehicles, cobalt mining is expanding, but efforts are underway to find alternative battery chemistries to reduce dependency on cobalt due to ethical, environmental, and geopolitical concerns.