The state cobalt agency in Democratic Republic of Congo has produced its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt, a key step in formalizing the sector in a country that supplies much of the world's battery metal.

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced the production of its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt, a milestone in efforts to formalize and regulate the sector. The state-owned Entreprise Général du Cobalt (EGC) stated that this initiative is intended to bring artisanal cobalt under Congolese control, improve pay and working conditions for miners, and ensure compliance with international standards.

Congo is the world's leading supplier of cobalt, holding about 72% of global reserves and providing over 74% of supply, much of it from informal artisanal mines. The move comes as global demand for cobalt is expected to rise by 40% by 2030, driven by electric vehicles and energy storage needs, and as buyers increasingly require proof of ethical sourcing.

Congo produces first 1,000 tons of traceable artisanal cobalt

Democratic Republic of Congo says it has produced its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt, or some 2,200 pounds. That's a key step in formalizing the sector in a country that supplies the vast majority of the world's battery metal. State-owned mining subsidiary Entreprise Général du Cobalt, or EGC, announced the milestone on Thursday in Congo's mineral heartland, Kowesi. CEO Eric Kalala said their vision is to transform artisanal cobalt into a strategic asset under Congolese control. We have now put in place a solution to control our Congolese artisanal cobalt and also ensure better pay and better working conditions for artisanal miners. I think that ECG is truly a tool of sovereignty for our country because this artisanal production is the most important production it controls. Congo holds about 72 percent of global cobalt reserves and accounts for over 74 percent of supply, much of it from informal artisanal mines. Artisanal mining is a lifeline for the country. It's estimated to employ up to two million people and support more than 10 million people indirectly. However, cobalt from the sector is largely unregulated, making it hard to track and vulnerable to government confiscations. That uncertainty reduces the amount of ethically sourced material and pushes up prices for traceable cobalt. Global demand for the mineral is forecast to rise 40 percent by 2030, driven by demand for electric vehicles and energy storage, according to the International Energy Agency. Automakers and electronics firms increasingly require proof of ethical sourcing, putting pressure on producers to cut out child labor and unsafe practices. EGC said its traceability model will clean up the supply chain and align production with international environmental, social and governance standards. Congo introduced export quotas in October to curb oversupply and support prices following a months-long export ban. Cobalt prices have since sharply rebounded, more than doubling this year.

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