The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resumed exports of cobalt after a 10-month hiatus, the country's Finance Minister announced in late 2025. The ban, which was instituted early last year, had disrupted global supplies of cobalt, a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and electronics.
The resumption comes as the DRC, which accounts for over 70% of the world's cobalt production, seeks to balance its domestic processing ambitions with the demands of the international market. The export curbs had been aimed at encouraging local refining and adding value to the mineral before export. However, the prolonged halt strained relationships with global buyers and highlighted the precarious nature of supply chains reliant on a single country.
The situation echoes broader concerns about dependence on China for critical mineral processing. While the DRC is the top producer of cobalt, China controls the majority of refining capacity for cobalt and other minerals. This concentration of supply chains poses risks for industries and governments seeking to secure raw materials for the energy transition.
Exploration companies like Numa Numa Resources Inc. are actively identifying viable deposits of critical minerals outside China and the DRC. Their progress could help diversify supply sources and reduce vulnerabilities. The DRC's export ban has underscored the need for such diversification, as even temporary disruptions can have ripple effects across global markets.
The resumption of exports is expected to ease near-term supply constraints, but the episode serves as a reminder of the geopolitical and economic factors influencing critical mineral markets. As demand for cobalt and other battery metals continues to grow, the stability of supply from key producers like the DRC will remain under scrutiny.
