Cobalt
Production
Most cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It produces almost three-quarters of the global total, Other leading producers include Indonesia, Russia, and Australia.
Despite mining most of it, the DRC refines very little. China dominates the supply chain for refined cobalt.
Reserves
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a slightly smaller dominance when it comes to reserves. In 2023, it had just over half of the world’s known reserves. Australia had the second largest reserves, with around 15% of the global total. That’s far larger than its share of global production, which is around 2%.
Cuba and Indonesia each had around 5% of reserves.
Production
Most cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It produces almost three-quarters of the global total, Other leading producers include Indonesia, Russia, and Australia.
Despite mining most of it, the DRC refines very little. China dominates the supply chain for refined cobalt.
Reserves
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a slightly smaller dominance when it comes to reserves. In 2023, it had just over half of the world’s known reserves. Australia had the second largest reserves, with around 15% of the global total. That’s far larger than its share of global production, which is around 2%.
Cuba and Indonesia each had around 5% of reserves.
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