Glencore is one of the world’s leading industrial producers and marketers of cobalt, a metal expected to become one of the most important raw materials in the transition towards a low-carbon economy due to its use in rechargeable batteries and renewable energy technologies.
We extract and process cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia, Canada, and Norway, mainly as a by-product of copper mining, but also as a by-product of nickel mining.
As a recycler of cobalt-containing materials, we are closing the loop of the circular value chain. With our activities, we help meet the growing demand for this important metal.
Cobalt in figures - 2024
- 38.2 kt
of cobalt produced at our assets
Uses of cobalt
Today’s rechargeable batteries powering devices such as cameras, mobile phones, and laptops often rely on cobalt to help regulate their batteries' temperature. This helps to make them safer, last longer and store more power.
These qualities make cobalt attractive for use in larger batteries of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.
Cobalt also finds applications in medical imaging technologies, and, as a superalloy, is used in aircraft engines and in hard metals used as sharp cutting edges or for drilling.
Cobalt assets
Cobalt is mainly produced as a by-product at assets that produce copper or nickel.
Kamoto Copper Company
DRC
View moreKCC (75%) is a large-scale copper–cobalt operation in the country’s Lualaba province, producing cobalt hydroxide and copper cathodes.Mutanda Mining (copper)
DRC
View moreMutanda is a copper and cobalt operation, also in Lualaba province, producing cobalt hydroxide and copper cathodes.
Take a virtual 360° tour of our KCC operations in the DRC to find out more about how we are responsibly sourcing cobalt.
Leadership
- Marketing leads
Jyothish George
- Industrial lead
Jon Evans