The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding cobalt exports, despite a decline in prices throughout 2023.
According to DRC prime minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, the country produced around 140,000 tonnes of cobalt last year.
During the first half of the year, the DRC exported approximately 52,000 tonnes of cobalt in metal content, a year-on-year decrease of 22.74%.
Despite the drop in cobalt prices witnessed in 2023, the DRC faced additional hurdles.
High copper prices led to a surge in the country's copper exports, consuming a significant portion of its transportation capacity.
This surge resulted in logistical challenges in moving cobalt, exacerbating ongoing issues with customs clearance and domestic turmoil.
Moreover, concerns regarding child labour in the cobalt sector added further complexities to the situation, highlighting human rights concerns in the DRC's mineral industry.
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