Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

Cobalt Prices in China Surge Due to Supply Chain Problems in the DRC and South Africa

by Eric Olander

Cobalt prices jumped to a three-year high in Chinse trading this month due to mounting concerns over shipment delays in the DR Congo-to-South Africa supply chain.

Shipments from the DR Congo account for 90% of China’s sourcing for the metal that’s a critical ingredient in electric vehicle batteries. Under normal circumstances, it takes less than 20 days for trucks to deliver shipments to the Port of Durban in South Africa. Now, though, that journey’s taking more than a month to complete.

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

You Might Like

With New Lockdowns in South Africa Threatening to Slow Cobalt Exports to China, Prices For the Strategically Important Metal Are Going Up

Investors are becoming increasingly worried that South Africa’s recent decision to close 20 land ports will adversely impact the flow of cobalt from mines in the DR Congo to customers in China. President ...

Chinese Cobalt Stakeholders Weigh In on Durban Chaos

The impact of the floods that disrupted operations at South Africa’s Durban harbor is being felt throughout the cobalt supply chain. The Swiss cobalt miner Glencore reacted by declaring force majeure, but so far ...

EV Battery Metals: Chinese Mining Companies Moving Quickly to Close More Lithium Deals in the DR Congo

The Chinese Mining Company Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies closed a $240 million investment with Australia’s AVZ Minerals for rights to the Manono lithium mine in the southern DR Congo. The Chinese company now ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.