Congo’s Cobalt Curbs Expose China’s Critical Metals Weak Spot

An employee of Chinese company CMOC surveys a pit in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces over 70 percent of the global supply of cobalt. The metal is a critical component of batteries and seen as key to the renewable energy transition. Photo by Emmet LIVINGSTONE / AFP
An employee of Chinese company CMOC surveys a pit in Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. China's dominance of critical mineral supply chains is not as absolute as it may appear since t lacks significant domestic mining capacity, leaving it highly dependent on imports of raw materials. Photo by Emmet LIVINGSTONE / AFP

By Andy Home

China’s dominance of critical mineral supply chains is not as absolute as it may appear.

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