The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global production in 2022. Other major cobalt-producing countries include Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Cuba, Russia, Madagascar, Canada, Papua New Guinea, and Türkiye.
List of Top Cobalt Produces
- 🇨🇩 DR Congo: 144,936
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia: 9,454
- 🇦🇺 Australia: 7,000
- 🇵🇭 Philippines: 5,400
- 🇨🇺 Cuba: 5,331
- 🇷🇺 Russia: 3,500
- 🇲🇬 Madagascar: 3,500
- 🇨🇦 Canada: 3,100
- 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea: 3,060
- 🇹🇷 Türkiye: 2,300
Cobalt is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The demand for cobalt is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the increasing popularity of electric vehicles.
The DRC’s cobalt production is concentrated in the Katanga province, where the country’s largest cobalt mine, Mutanda, is located. Mutanda is owned by Glencore, a Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company.
The DRC’s cobalt production has been criticized for its reliance on child labor and unsafe working conditions. In 2016, Amnesty International published a report alleging that child miners were working in dangerous conditions in the DRC’s cobalt mines.
Despite these challenges, the DRC remains the world’s dominant cobalt producer. The country’s cobalt reserves are estimated to be the largest in the world, and the DRC government is taking steps to improve the working conditions in its cobalt mines.
The growing demand for cobalt has led to a surge in prices in recent years. In 2023, the price of cobalt reached an all-time high of over $100,000 per metric ton. This has made cobalt mining more profitable, and it has attracted new investment into the DRC’s cobalt sector.
The DRC’s cobalt production is essential for the global transition to clean energy. Cobalt is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles and other renewable energy technologies. The DRC government is working to improve the sustainability of its cobalt sector, and it is committed to ensuring that the benefits of cobalt mining are shared equitably with the Congolese people.
