At a Glance
- Congo produces the first 1,000 tons of traceable artisanal cobalt.
- The government limits exports, boosts local processing to ensure ethical supply.
- Rising EV demand drives global cobalt growth, pressuring ethical sourcing.
The Democratic Republic of Congo reached a new milestone in its cobalt sector, producing its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt.
The achievement underscores the country’s effort to formalize a market that supplies the bulk of the world’s battery-grade cobalt.
Congo dominates global cobalt production, holding nearly three-quarters of known reserves and accounting for more than 74% of annual output.
Most of that comes from small-scale artisanal mines, which employ between 1.5 million and 2 million people directly and support over 10 million more through related services and local trade.
New rules aim to boost domestic processing
Historically, artisanal cobalt operations have functioned largely outside government oversight, leaving the supply chain opaque and vulnerable to sudden seizures or market disruptions.
This lack of transparency has limited the availability of ethically sourced cobalt and kept prices high for traceable material.
In response, the government imposed export quotas in October after a months-long suspension of cobalt shipments. Managed by the mining regulator ARESCOM, the framework limits exports and encourages processing within Congo.
Officials say this approach makes it less attractive for miners to sell raw material abroad and promotes the growth of local refining operations.
Traceable Cobalt becomes a strategic asset
Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), a 2019 subsidiary of state-owned Gécamines, marked the production milestone during a ceremony in Kolwezi, a hub of Congo’s mining region.
EGC’s traceability system aims to align cobalt production with international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
“Every ton we purchase must reflect not just the mineral’s value, but the dignity of those who extract it,” said CEO Eric Kalala. He emphasized the company’s broader mission: turning artisanal cobalt into a nationally strategic resource.
Global demand for cobalt is expected to rise by 40% by 2030, driven by electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, according to the International Energy Agency.
Automakers and electronics companies increasingly seek proof of ethical sourcing, placing pressure on producers to eliminate child labor and unsafe mining practices.
EGC plans to expand production beyond the initial 1,000 tons, increase refining capacity, and capture a larger share of the artisanal market.
