Latest updates
Europe’s Cobalt Recycling Ambitions Collide With Its Own Rulebook
By Karolina Chmielewska, Policy & Communications Officer, Cobalt Institute
Key highlights:
Recycling is central to Europe’s cobalt security. It could meet up to 62% of EU cobal...
Cobalt Institute Statement on the EU Interinstitutional Agreement on the Cobalt Occupational Exposure Limit
On 23 June – counter to Europe’s ambitions for defence, strategic autonomy, competitiveness and a circular economy – the European Commission, Council and Parliament agreed a proposal that will d...
Europe’s Cobalt OEL: Is Europe About to Undermine Its Own Strategic Ambitions?
By Karolina Chmielewska, Policy & Communications Officer, Cobalt Institute
The proposed EU Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for cobalt is entering the final stage of the legislative process, w...
- Cobalt Facts
- Powering Change
- Mining & Production
99%of cobalt is mined as a by-product of copper and nickel
x3cobalt demand growth by 2050, driven by cobalt use in EV batteries, aerospace, defence and consumer electronics
$1.7bnis required by 2050 to build the cobalt mines needed to meet growing demand
B12cobalt is a bio-essential element, helping humans and animals stay healthy
10all the top 10 EV models in the US and Europe rely on cobalt-containing chemistries
61%of demand growth supported by EV batteries
x4demand growth by 2050 from aviation, defence, space exploration, satellites, drones
25%of cobalt can be recycled by 2035 and 39% by 2050
76%of mined cobalt comes from DR Congo, followed by Indonesia (12%)
2%share of artisanal cobalt mining in the DR Congo in 2024
82%of global refined cobalt supply was certified against Responsible Minerals Initiative
+200ktcobalt demand in 2024 – strongest annual growth since 2021
Events
External Event
Critical Materials Forum: Seoul 2026
Marina Demidova will be speaking at Project Blue’s Critical Materials Forum: Seoul 2026, joining the panel discussion on the future of battery markets and critical materials.
The forum will bring...
External Event
Resourcing Tomorrow London
Resourcing Tomorrow is one of the leading events for the global mining sector, bringing together key decision-makers in London on 1-3 December 2026 to discuss investment, project development, supply c...
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