Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Cobalt

The document details cobalt's critical importance for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and electronics, noting that demand for clean energy technologies is expected to rise by 80% between 2025 and 2030. It highlights a highly concentrated supply chain, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) producing about 76% of global cobalt and China refining 50% to 70% of global supplies. The text emphasizes severe externalities in the DRC, including child labor, human rights violations, and the deforestation of 32,100 acres of the Congo Basin forest from 2001 to 2020. It also notes the U.S. has a 76% import reliance for cobalt and discusses recycling and substitutes, such as iron-phosphate and TAQ, to mitigate supply and ethical risks.

• Cobalt is essential for the clean energy transition, particularly for lithium-ion battery cathodes. The U.S. Department of Energy expects the share of cobalt demand from electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems to grow from 71% in 2025 to 93% by 2035, with overall clean energy demand increasing by 80% between 2025 and 2030.
• Global cobalt supply and processing are highly concentrated. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) holds 52.8% of known reserves and produces approximately 76% of the global supply. China dominates the refining stage, processing between 50% and 70% of global cobalt supplies.
• The United States relies heavily on imports for cobalt, with a 76% import reliance primarily from Canada, Japan, Finland, and Norway. Domestic production is limited; the only cobalt-specific mine in Idaho closed in 2024 due to low prices.
• Cobalt extraction, especially in the DRC, is associated with severe human rights and environmental damages. These include child trafficking, forced labor, and the loss of 32,100 acres of the Congo Basin forest between 2001 and 2020. Health risks for workers include hard metal lung disease and birth defects in mining zones.
• Recycling and material substitution are being explored to reduce the impact of cobalt mining. Recycling can potentially reduce the need for new mines by 40% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. Substitutes include iron-phosphate, which has lower energy density, and an organic small molecule called TAQ.

APA

Gries, L. (n.d.). Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Cobalt. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_CriticalMinerals_Cobalt.pdf

Chicago

Gries, Laura. Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Cobalt. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, n.d. https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_CriticalMinerals_Cobalt.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gries |first1=Laura |title=Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Cobalt |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_CriticalMinerals_Cobalt.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{griesndfact, author = {Gries, Laura}, title = {{Fact Sheet Critical Mineral Deep Dive: Cobalt}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/FactSheet_CriticalMinerals_Cobalt.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }