Cobalt

We are one of the world’s leading producers of cobalt – a metal in rising demand thanks to its use in batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronics.

We produce cobalt mainly as a by-product of copper mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but also as a by-product of nickel mining in Australia and Canada.

We are also one of the largest recyclers and processors of cobalt-bearing materials, such as used batteries – helping secure the supply of the metal at a time of increasing demand.

Cobalt in figures - 2020

27.4 kt

of cobalt produced at our assets

Uses of cobalt

Cobalt looks set to become one of the most important commodities in delivering the electric vehicle revolution – thanks to rising demand for the metal in the batteries that power them.

It is also used as a super alloy in aircraft engines, and in cemented carbides, which are often used as hard cutting surfaces or drill bits.

Cobalt assets

Cobalt is mainly produced as a by-product at assets that produce copper or nickel.

Katanga Mining (copper)

DRC

Katanga (65%) is a large-scale copper–cobalt operation in the country’s Katanga province, producing cobalt hydroxide and copper cathodes.

Mutanda Mining (copper)

DRC

Mutanda is a large-scale copper and cobalt operation, also in Katanga province, producing cobalt hydroxide and copper cathodes.

Murrin Murrin (nickel)

Murrin Murrin is a nickel–cobalt operation in the north-eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, producing refined nickel and cobalt metal.

Nikkelverk

Norway

Located in Kristiansand, Nikkelverk is the largest nickel refinery in the western world and produces high-quality cobalt and copper cathodes.

Raglan Mine (nickel)

Canada

Raglan Mine is one of the richest base-metal mines in the world – located in the Arctic region at the extreme limit of northern Quebec.

Sudbury INO (nickel)

Canada

Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations are located in the Sudbury basin, northern Ontario, Canada. Nickel–copper ores have been mined there since 1928. The operations also include the Sudbury smelter.

Latest reports and results

Explore the latest reports and results, including financial results, production reports and our annual report.

Explore

Video highlights

Responsibly sourcing cobalt in the DRC

20/09/2021

Take a virtual 360° tour of our KCC operations in the DRC to find out more about how we are responsibly sourcing cobalt.

Women in mining at Raglan, Canada

Indigenous mining jobs at Raglan

Leadership

Marketing leads

Jyothish George (metals)
Nick Popovic (concentrates)
Industrial lead

Mike Westerman