Cobalt

Cobalt is a hard, lustrous, silver-grey metal that is used in a variety of industrial applications, including batteries, electronics, and superalloys. It is a key component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and other portable electronic devices. Cobalt is also used in the aerospace industry, where it is alloyed with other metals to create high-performance materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.

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Cobalt is primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which accounts for more than half of the world's production. However, the mining of cobalt in the DRC has been linked to human rights abuses and environmental damage, leading to increased scrutiny and efforts to develop more sustainable and ethical supply chains. As demand for cobalt continues to rise, there is growing interest in developing alternative sources of the metal to reduce reliance on the DRC and address the social and environmental impacts of its production.