Democratic Republic of Congo Battery Cobalt

Does the Democratic Republic of the Congo influence the cobalt market?

The mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often portrayed as a victim of exploitation by China, the US and Europe in their competition for its minerals, which are critical for the energy transition. But our research has found that the DRC can influence the shape of the cobalt market, in which it is the single largest producer.

Does the DRC influence the shape of the cobalt market?

But our research has found that the DRC can influence the shape of the cobalt market, in which it is the single largest producer. Cobalt is a very important metal. It reduces overheating in batteries and is essential in the manufacture of electric vehicles.

What happened to cobalt production in the DRC?

The temporal scope of this analysis, from 2000 through 2020, covers the modern era of cobalt production in the DRC as it emerged from the collapse of its mining industry in the 1990s, which was the result of underinvestment in nationalized mining assets, as well as economic and civil turmoil (8).

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.

Does the DRC have a 'clean' cobalt supply chain?

Kara, a fellow at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and at the Kennedy School, has been researching modern-day slavery, human trafficking and child labor for two decades. He says that although the DRC has more cobalt reserves than the rest of the planet combined, there's no such thing as a "clean" supply chain of cobalt from the country.

How does the DRC influence the global battery supply chain?

Mining policy decisions made by politicians in the DRC’s capital Kinshasa or mining regions like Kolwezi are felt throughout global battery supply chains. For instance, as the producer of 70% of the world’s cobalt, the DRC has influence over the global electric vehicle battery supply chain.