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UN report highlights urgent need to tackle impact of EV battery production boom

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Demand for raw materials used in the production of electric car batteries is set to soar, prompting the UN trade body, UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), to call for the social and environmental impacts of the extraction of raw materials, which include human rights abuses, to be addressed urgently.

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US releases signed MOU with Congo and Zambia to strengthen EV battery value chain

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The US Department of State released the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on electric vehicle battery value chains signed by the United States on 13 December 2022, during the Africa Leaders Summit. The DRC produces more than 70% of the world’s cobalt.

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Scientists at KU Leuven, University of Lubumbashi reveal the health risks of cobalt mining in DR Congo

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The metal is a crucial component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for smartphones and electric cars. Around 60% of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the mineral-rich Katanga Copper belt, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Demand for cobalt has been on the increase due to its many applications. —Nkulu et al.

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Volkswagen joins “Cobalt for Development” initiative

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Volkswagen says that it is actively engaging in improving artisanal cobalt mining conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as well as the living conditions for people in the surrounding communities. Cobalt is an important raw material for the production of electric vehicle batteries.

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Study finds cobalt supply can meet demand for EVs and electronics batteries through 2030

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Roughly 60% of mined cobalt is sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Half of the current supply of cobalt is incorporated into cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, and many of those batteries are used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

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Benchmark: China dominates Li-ion battery supply chain

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China dominates the global Li-ion battery supply chain to the extent that removing the country in favor of European or North American alternatives will be difficult, according to analysis by Benchmark Minerals Intelligence. In 2022, Benchmark forecasts 70% of all batteries will be made in China.

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Benchhmark report: cobalt’s price rises highlight shift to battery-driven pricing dynamics

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Cobalt metal prices (cobalt battery metal, min 99.8%, EXW Europe, USD/lb) have risen 15% from the July 2020 issue of Benchmark’s Cobalt Price Assessment to the most recent data published at the end of October 2020. Despite these uncertainties, cobalt metal has enjoyed relatively good price performance during H2 2020 to date.

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