Insight
EV exuberance – tightening the cobalt supply chain
*Please note that this report only includes an Excel data file if this is indicated in "What's included" below
Report summary
Cobalt spot prices have surged to US$30/lb at present due to rising demand from the battery sector, supply-side restrictions and investor interest . As governments and automakers clamber to issue ever more aggressive targets for electric vehicle sales and ownership, we ask if the cobalt industry is ready for the spotlight. This initial overview of the cobalt market marks the continuation of our series of reports looking at the impact of the EV revolution on the metals and mining sector.
Table of contents
- Cobalt usage in batteries
- The outlook for EVs
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The supply side has issues
- The by-product issue
- The DRC issue
- The China issue
- Is the great cobalt scramble ahead of us?
- What can be done?
- Conclusion
Tables and charts
This report includes the following images and tables:
- Cobalt prices have surged 172% this year
- EVs will account for 4% of car sales by 2025
- EV sales will boost cobalt demand over the medium term
- Copper and nickel mine supply has stagnated recently
- Cobalt is only a small share of revenue at sulphide mines
- The DRC accounts for nearly half of global reserves
- China dominates production of cobalt chemicals
- Around 90% of China's raw materials come from the DRC
What's included
This report contains:
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