Cobalt production
Cobalt is a mineral commodity that originates from ores mined from the Earth's crust. Typically, these ores are extracted through various mining techniques alongside nickel and copper deposits. The ore undergoes processing to isolate cobalt metal, which is essential for numerous applications. These include rechargeable batteries, which power electric vehicles and portable electronics, as well as superalloys used in high-temperature environments and catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions.
Cobalt is a mineral commodity that originates from ores mined from the Earth's crust. Typically, these ores are extracted through various mining techniques alongside nickel and copper deposits. The ore undergoes processing to isolate cobalt metal, which is essential for numerous applications. These include rechargeable batteries, which power electric vehicles and portable electronics, as well as superalloys used in high-temperature environments and catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions.
Country production pages
Market intelligence
Vale completed construction and commissioning of its Voisey's Bay Mine Expansion Project, opening two underground mines and establishing a 2,600 t/yr cobalt byproduct capacity, with ramp-up to full capacity by the second half of 2026.
BHP Group announced that its Nickel West operations in Western Australia would be placed on care‑and‑maintenance status by October 2024, a move that reduces cobalt by‑product output.
BHP Group announced that the Kambalda concentrator, which processed third‑party feed, would be placed on care‑and‑maintenance by June 2024, further tightening cobalt supply.
Prony Resources New Caledonia halted operations at its cobalt mine and processing plant due to unrest, stopping cobalt production in the territory.
China State Reserve Bureau announced a plan to stockpile 15,000 t of cobalt metal for 2023, expanding strategic reserves and potentially affecting global supply.
U.S. DoD awarded $6.4 million to Fortune Minerals to support development of a cobalt mine, concentrator, and refinery in Canada, boosting North American cobalt supply chain.
U.S. announced increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and lithium‑ion batteries, raising costs for cobalt‑containing products and potentially reducing demand for cobalt imports.
A ground fall in the mine ramp at Lundin Mining's Eagle operation in Michigan limited access and reduced mining rates, causing a 57% decline in U.S. cobalt mine production in 2024.
Mining activity at a cobalt‑copper‑gold mine in Idaho was suspended in 2024 due to low cobalt prices, halting local cobalt production.
China expanded its cobalt refining capacity throughout 2024, boosting domestic production of refined cobalt.
Canada’s cobalt reserves were revised according to recent company and government reports, adjusting national resource figures.
Indonesia’s cobalt reserves were revised based on new company and government data, updating national resource estimates.
Reserves for other cobalt‑producing countries were revised based on company and government reports, affecting global resource data.
Papua New Guinea’s cobalt reserves were revised following recent company and government reports, changing national resource assessments.
United States cobalt reserves were revised based on recent company and government reports, updating domestic resource estimates.
The U.S. increased tariffs on cobalt ores and concentrates from China and on cobalt‑containing electric vehicles and batteries, affecting trade flows.
A trial shipment of copper concentrate from Kolwezi, Congo (Kinshasa), via the new Lobito railway reached the Port of Lobito in eight days, less than half the travel time by truck to Durban.
MMG Ltd. completed construction and commissioning of a cobalt plant at the Kinsevere copper mine in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Li‑Cycle paused construction of its Rochester, NY battery‑resource‑recovery plant due to rising project costs.
The U.S. Department of State signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union, African Development Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation to support the Lobito Corridor rail line.
PT Halmahera Persada Lygend began producing and exporting cobalt sulfate to international customers in July 2023.
The U.S. Department of Defense awarded $15 million to Jervois Mining USA under the Defense Production Act to support resource definition studies at the Idaho Cobalt Operations Mine and a feasibility study for a U.S. cobalt refinery.
ERG suspended operations at the Boss Mining SAS Kakanda site in May 2023 after heavy rains caused flooding of a tailings dam and raised environmental concerns.
Jervois Mining suspended construction and concentrator commissioning at its Idaho Cobalt Operations near Salmon, Idaho, citing low cobalt prices and increased construction costs.
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