Summary:
- The global cobalt supply chain is at risk of a sudden and widespread collapse, according to a new study.
- Cobalt is a critical mineral used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other technologies. The supply of cobalt is heavily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which produces over 70% of the world's cobalt.
- The study warns that disruptions in the cobalt supply chain, such as political instability or natural disasters, could lead to a cascading failure that affects the entire global cobalt market, with severe consequences for industries that rely on this essential mineral.