DRC Is the World’s Largest Producer of Cobalt – How Control by Local Elites Can Shape the Global Battery Industry

Sep 4, 2024 | Raphael Deberdt and Jessica DiCarlo
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The mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often portrayed as a victim of exploitation by China, the US and Europe in their competition for its minerals, which are critical for the energy transition. But research has found that the DRC can influence the shape of the cobalt market, in which it is the single largest producer. Cobalt is a very important metal. It reduces overheating in batteries and is essential in the manufacture of electric vehicles.