Cobalt mine production worldwide by major countries 2022

The leading country in worldwide cobalt mine production in 2022 was the Democratic Republic of Congo, having produced an estimated 130,000 metric tons that year.

Cobalt Industry

Cobalt is a hard, lustrous metal that is only found in Earth’s crust. It was first discovered in 1735 by Swedish chemist Georg Brandt. Cobalt is used in electroplating to combat surface oxidation. It is also used to form alloys. Fundamentally, it is a byproduct of mining nickel, silver, lead, copper, and iron. Compounds of cobalt have also been used to color porcelain, glass, pottery, and tile due to the blue color it produces. In 2022, the worldwide mine production of cobalt amounted to 190,000 metric tons.

Cobalt mining in the DRC

The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most lucrative and essential part of the DRC economy. It is their largest source of export income. The DRC accounted for more than two thirds of global cobalt production in 2022, making it the world's largest cobalt producer by a large margin. Despite having the largest reserves of cobalt as well as other minerals in the world, the DRC still suffers from poverty and corruption. DRC’s mine production of cobalt has more than doubled since 2010.