Cobalt
A key component of lithium-ion battery cathodes and superalloys for jet engines. Highly concentrated in the DRC, making supply chains strategically vulnerable.
Where Cobalt sits among tracked minerals
Share of global output from the #1 producing country, across all 20 minerals PlainCountries tracks
73.1% 4th of 20 higher than 16 of 20 tracked minerals
Top-producer share of global output, bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more tracked minerals. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 · 2023 data year
Global Production Overview
Nearby Critical Minerals by leader share
Next read: Vanadium · All minerals
Where Cobalt sits on supply concentration
Cobalt is mid-pack on supply concentration here, per the figures above. Cobalt is tagged as a critical mineral in this corpus, governments track production geography because a shortage or export restriction can ripple through clean-energy and defense chains. A key component of lithium-ion battery cathodes and superalloys for jet engines. Highly concentrated in the DRC, making supply chains strategically vulnerable. 2023 global mine production ≈ 220,000.
The import-reliance figure above is mid-pack among minerals with a published reliance number. Track both the leading producer and the next two shares, not only the #1 row. Top-five share is 84% (DR Congo, Russia, Australia, Philippines, Canada). Mid-concentration minerals are where #2/#3 shares still matter for scenario work.
Closest same-category neighbour by leader share: Vanadium. Figures are USGS estimates for 2023 from the 2024 Mineral Commodity Summaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most Cobalt?
DR Congo is the world's leading producer of Cobalt, accounting for approximately 73% of global mine production in 2023.
How is Cobalt used?
A key component of lithium-ion battery cathodes and superalloys for jet engines. Highly concentrated in the DRC, making supply chains strategically vulnerable.
What is global Cobalt production?
Global mine production of Cobalt was approximately 220,000 in 2023, measured in metric tons.
How reliant is the US on imported Cobalt?
The United States imports approximately 76% of its apparent Cobalt consumption, making it a strategically significant commodity for US supply chain security.
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 (U.S. Geological Survey, National Minerals Information Center). Source: USGS National Minerals Information Center, data year 2023. Values are USGS estimates and may include revisions. US import reliance data from USGS.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.