Strong demand for electric vehicles in China and Europe is expected to bolster the output of cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mining sector. Today, the DRC is the Saudi Arabia or cobalt. 60-70% of the world’s cobalt originates there and China is becoming increasingly dominant along the entire supply chain of this strategically vital mineral. Eight out of 14 of the world’s largest cobalt mines are owned by Chinese companies.
Cobalt is an essential element in the production of batteries used in electric vehicles, aviation and various other electronics. Much like rare earths, cobalt is also considered a resource vital to many countries’ national security and key industries.
While the lockdowns in response to COVID-19 disrupted some aspects of China’s cobalt production in the DRC, it wasn’t completely shut down. “The Chinese have a lot of interest in the DRC and put measures in place in order to continue operations during the State of Emergency in the country,” said Simon Tuma Waku, deputy MD, Tenke Fungurume Mining in the DRC. (MINING REVIEW AFRICA)
Other China-Africa Mining News:
- COPPER: Strong Chinese demand to boost copper production in the DRC (MINING REVIEW AFRICA)
- GEMSTONES: Chinese investors urged to explore Zambia’s gemstone, emerald sector (CGTN)
- COAL: Two Chinese companies are reportedly exploring for coal in Zimbabwe’s protected Hwange National Park (NEW ZIMBABWE)
