Cobalt
Companies
Key Companies in the Cobalt Value Chain
The Cobalt industry encompasses at least 6 major companies from junior explorers and mine developers to integrated producers and downstream processors. With annual production of 230,000 tonnes and prices around 54,000-56,300 $/tonne, the Cobalt market supports a diverse corporate ecosystem.
Annual Production
230,000
tonnes
Market Price
54,000-56,300
$/tonne
Top Producer
DR Congo
73% share
Companies Tracked
6
Major Producers and Processors
The following companies are key participants in the Cobalt supply chain:
Glencore
Worlds largest cobalt producer through its Mutanda and Katanga mines in the DRC; also a major cobalt trader and refiner
CMOC Group
Operates the Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine in the DRC (acquired from Freeport-McMoRan); one of the worlds largest cobalt operations
Umicore
Major cobalt refiner and leading battery materials recycler; produces cathode precursors for EV batteries
Huayou Cobalt
Chinas largest cobalt refiner and battery precursor manufacturer; vertically integrated from DRC mining to cathode production
ERG (Eurasian Resources Group)
Operates multiple copper-cobalt mines in the DRC including the Metalkol RTR tailings reprocessing facility
Vale
Produces cobalt as byproduct of nickel operations in Canada (Voiseys Bay, Sudbury) and New Caledonia; operates Long Harbour refinery
Active Operations and Development Projects
These are the key Cobalt operations and development-stage projects associated with the companies above:
Tenke Fungurume
CMOC Group
One of the worlds largest copper-cobalt operations; expansion to increase output underway
KiCC (Kinsevere)
China Molybdenum (CMOC)
Copper-cobalt mine being expanded with new sulfide processing circuit
Ramu NiCo
Metallurgical Corp of China (MCC)
HPAL nickel-cobalt laterite operation producing mixed hydroxide precipitate
Corporate Strategy Trends
Major consumers of Cobalt across the lithium-ion battery cathodes and superalloys for jet engines sectors are increasingly focused on securing long-term supply agreements, investing in supply chain traceability, and supporting new production sources to reduce exposure to the 73% concentration in DR Congo.
More on Cobalt
Explore other aspects of the Cobalt value chain.
Uses & Applications
Explore uses & applications for Cobalt.
Supply Chain
Explore supply chain for Cobalt.
Mining & Processing
Explore mining & processing for Cobalt.
Refining & Grade Specs
Explore refining & grade specs for Cobalt.
Recycling
Explore recycling for Cobalt.
Substitutes
Explore substitutes for Cobalt.
Return to the Cobalt hub page or browse the full Mineral Library.