The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, accounting for about three-fourths (75%) of the global production. The country has been the top producer of the metal for some time, and reported output of 130,000 MT in 2022. Cobalt is a crucial component in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, as well as for various electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.

There are several reasons why the DRC has become the primary source of cobalt production:

• Abundance of Cobalt Reserves:The DRC is home to vast reserves of cobalt. It is estimated to have approximately 3.4 million metric tons of cobalt reserves, which is the largest in the world. This abundance of cobalt resources has made the DRC a significant player in the global cobalt market.
• Artisanal Mining:A significant portion of cobalt production in the DRC comes from artisanal and small-scale mining operations. These operations involve individual miners or small groups extracting cobalt using basic tools and equipment. However, due to the informal nature of this mining sector, it can be associated with challenges such as poor working conditions, environmental concerns, and potential human rights issues.
• Industrial Mining Operations:Alongside artisanal mining, the DRC also has large-scale industrial mining operations run by multinational mining companies. These operations use modern machinery and technologies to extract cobalt from mines. The industrial mining sector plays a crucial role in meeting the global demand for cobalt.

Source: https://investingnews.com/where-is-cobalt-mined/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/264928/cobalt-mine-production-by-country/#:~:text=The%20leading%20country%20in%20worldwide,130%2C000%20metric%20tons%20that%20year