The DRC hosts over 51% of the global cobalt reserves, according...

The DRC hosts over 51% of the global cobalt reserves, according to 2019 data released by the US Geological Survey. Roskill estimates that, in 2020, the central African country produced about 90kt Co in various intermediates representing nearly 70% of the total cobalt feedstock production globally. Prior to the recent announcement, over 40% of the cobalt mining capacity in the DRC was already controlled by Chinese companies as a result of decades-long investment and development in the country, with several resource-for-infrastructure deals having been signed and implemented since the 1990s.“On the cobalt refining side, particularly for the production of chemicals suitable for battery applications, China plays an even more dominant role, with its production of cobalt sulphate and oxides accounting for around 80% of the global total output in 2020,” the report reads.What are western countries to do to mitigate such supply risk in the years ahead? Locking in feedstock with long-term agreements is a first good step, Roskill says. They should also utilize alternative feeds, such as recycling, and develop resources elsewhere. QUOTE
Urgency building to find new secure long tern supply of cobalt in safe countries IMO

https://www.mining.com/what-chinas-increasing-control-over-cobalt-resources-in-the-drc-means-for-the-west-report/