Category: Battery Metals

The unchecked artisanal exploitation of cobalt ore in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is contributing to its declining prices in international markets, according to President Félix Tshisekedi. During a recent Council of Ministers meeting on February 9, 2024, President Tshisekedi highlighted the decrease in cobalt prices, which have dropped from $31,000 to $28,727 per ton since the beginning of the fourth quarter of the previous year. In response to this trend, President Tshisekedi urged the Congolese Government to implement urgent measures to regulate the cobalt market effectively and increase… Read More Here

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt announced its intention to explore sourcing cobalt, a crucial component in electric vehicle (EV) battery production, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company has conducted trials, studied work processes, and compared plans to enhance both social and environmental sustainability, seeking long-term partnerships. Chief Environmental Officer Emma Nehrenheim expressed confidence in engaging with sourcing agreements within the year during a Reuters phone interview, though no specific timeframe was provided. Stakeholders’ requests prompted Northvolt to directly engage with miners and other parties to improve working conditions… Read More Here

At a time of energy transition, there is a real rush towards the mining sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose contribution to the national economy is no less. However, in this copper-cobalt El Dorado, two giants of the sector, namely the Chinese CMOC and the Swiss Glencore, are waging a merciless battle, centered on competitiveness. Thanks to its Kisanfu copper-cobalt mine based in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Haut-Katanga province, with a capacity of 30,009 tonnes, inaugurated in 2023, the giantChinese group CMOC thus becomes the… Read More Here