Myb1 2015 Cobal

2015 Minerals Yearbook
COBALT [ADVANCE RELEASE]
U.S. Department of the Interior September 2017

U.S. Geological Survey
Cobalt
By Kim B. Shedd
Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Annie Hwang, statistical assistant, and the world production and projects
tables were prepared by Lisa D. Miller,1 and Glenn J. Wallace, international data coordinators.
In 2015, world production of refined cobalt increased by annual materials plan for fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015,
5% to reach a record level of 97,400 metric tons (t) (table 9). through September 30, 2016), which represented the maximum
A large increase in production from China more than balanced amounts of materials that could be bought or sold during the
out significant decreases in production from Canada, Finland, year, provided for acquisitions of 300 kg, gross weight, of LCO
and Zambia. The United States did not refine cobalt in 2015. and 1,080 kg, gross weight, of NCA. Calendar yearend NDS
World mine production increased by 3% to reach a record inventories of cobalt materials are listed in table 1. The cobalt
level of 126,000 t (table 8). Congo (Kinshasa) remained the content of battery precursor material inventories was estimated
leading producer of mined cobalt, supplying one-half of world as 60% of gross weight for LCO and 9% of gross weight for
production, followed by China, Canada, Russia, and Australia. NCA (Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials, 2015;
Cobalt was mined in the United States as a byproduct of nickel U.S. Department of Defense, 2016, p. 10, 35).
and copper in Michigan, and a negligible amount of byproduct
cobalt was produced in an intermediate product from the mining Production
and refining of platinum-group-metals (PGM) ore in Montana.
Lundin Mining Corp. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) produced
No cobalt has been sold from the National Defense Stockpile
copper and nickel concentrates from the Eagle nickel-copper
(NDS) since 2009.
mine northwest of Marquette, MI, and mill in Humboldt
According to the Cobalt Development Institute (2016a),
Township. In 2015, Eagle produced nickel concentrate
preliminary data indicate that in 2015, world apparent
containing 27,167 t of nickel and an estimated 760 t of cobalt,
consumption of cobalt increased by about 7,000 t, or about
based on reported quarterly nickel production and ore grades
8%, to approximately 89,000 t. Cobalt prices generally trended
and a forecast of annual cobalt ore grade from the production
downward during the year, resulting in annual averages less
schedule. The concentrate was sent by rail to smelters in North
than those of 2014. Salient U.S. and world cobalt statistics for
America or to ports for shipment overseas (Lundin Mining
201115 are listed in table 1.
Corp., 2016a, p. 24; 2016b, p. 19).
Cobalt is a metal used in numerous diverse commercial,
Stillwater Mining Co.s PGM mining and refining operations
industrial, and military applications. Globally, the leading use
in southeastern Montana produced negligible amounts of cobalt
of cobalt is in rechargeable battery electrodes. Superalloys,
in nickel sulfate, which it sold to other companies (Stillwater
which are used to make parts for gas turbine engines, are another
Mining Co., 2016, p. 20).
major use for cobalt. Other metallurgical uses for cobalt include
In November, the final environmental impact statement
cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools,
(EIS) was completed for PolyMet Mining Corp.s NorthMet
controlled-expansion and corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys,
project and the U.S. Forest Service issued a draft record of
high-speed and maraging steels, and magnets. With regard to
decision on a land exchange for the project. In early 2016, the
other chemical uses, cobalt is used to make animal feed additives;
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources validated the EIS
catalysts for chemical, petroleum, and other industries; drying
and Polymet shifted its focus towards permitting. Phase 1 of the
agents for inks, paints, and varnishes; dyes and pigments; glass
project comprised open pit mining of the NorthMet polymetallic
decolorizers; ground coats for porcelain enamels; humidity
deposit in the Duluth Complex of northeastern Minnesota and
indicators; magnetic recording media; rubber adhesion promoters
production of copper and nickel concentrates. Polymet expected
for steel-belted radial tires; and vitamin B12.
construction and rampup to commercial production to take about
Legislation and Government Programs 24 months after receiving the permits (table 7) (PolyMet Mining
Corp., 2016, p. 1415).
Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials (DLA Formation Metals Inc.s environmentally permitted Idaho
Strategic Materials), U.S. Department of Defense, did not sell Cobalt project comprised an underground cobalt-copper-gold
or ship cobalt during 2015. The program under which cobalt mine and mill complex in the Idaho Cobalt Belt in Lemhi
metal sales were authorized expired in 2011 and had not been County and a hydrometallurgical plant to refine the concentrates
reauthorized. DLA Strategic Materials had a contract with a in a location to be determined. During the year, Formation
domestic producer to supply the agency with cobalt-bearing completed a preliminary economic analysis on a process
lithium-ion battery precursor materials. During the calendar to produce an average of approximately 1,260 metric tons
year, DLA Strategic Materials purchased 150 kilograms (kg), per year (t/yr) of cobalt in sulfate for the battery sector and
gross weight, of lithium-cobalt oxide (LCO) and 610 kg, gross began bench-scale test production of crystalline cobalt sulfate
weight, of lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide (NCA). The from the projects ore. The company planned to complete
a definitive feasibility study, secure offtake and other sale
1
Deceased.
agreements, and seek strategic partnerships to develop the
Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.1

project. Once financing was completed, Formation planned July and in early August, and the lowest price range was
to begin underground mine development and to construct the $9.50 to $10.50 per pound during the last 3 weeks of the year.
beneficiation and hydrometallurgical plants. Initial production Trends in Platts prices for Zambian cobalt (minimum
was expected to take place about 13 months after commencing 99.6% cobalt) and Russian cobalt (minimum 99.3% cobalt)
underground development (table 7) (Formation Metals Inc., were similar to those for U.S. spot cathode. The annual average
2016, p. 2, 12, 14, 21, 26). of weekly prices for Zambian cobalt was $13.06 per pound,
U.S. processors produced intermediate or marketable cobalt and the annual average of weekly prices for Russian cobalt was
chemicals from refined cobalt materials and (or) cobalt-bearing $13.02 per pound.
scrap. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data on chemical and In 2015, the London Metal Exchange Ltd. (LME) added coarse-
metal powder production, shipments, and stocks were derived grained metal powder to its cobalt contract. Prior to this addition,
from a monthly voluntary survey of U.S. cobalt processors. the contract included briquettes, broken or cut cathodes, ingots,
Information from this survey was used to prepare the statistics and rounds. At yearend, the number of producers whose cobalt
on cobalt consumption and stocks in table 2. was approved for delivery on the LME cobalt futures contract
Cobalt was recovered from secondary (scrap) materials remained at 15, and the deliverable shapes of the approved brands
by subsidiaries of n.v. Umicore, s.a. (Brussels, Belgium) were cathodes, ingots, and rounds. Sherritt International Corp.
and Plansee Group (Reutte, Austria). The Umicore Specialty (2016a, p. 9) reported that the amount of cobalt traded on the
Materials Recycling plant in Wickliffe, OH, processed LME in 2015 (8,688 t) represented only 20% of global refined
secondary materials such as superalloy scrap and made cobalt metal production and 9.5% of global refined production of
chemicals for the catalyst and petrochemical refining industries. cobalt metal and chemicals. Considering that base-metal contracts
The Umicore Specialty Chemicals plant in Arab, AL, recycled on the LME experience trading volumes of 50 or more times their
spent catalysts for its customers. Plansee Groups Global production, the LME cobalt contract is still in the early stage of
Tungsten & Powders Corp. (GTP) in Towanda, PA, recovered acceptance as a primary pricing mechanism. The annual average
an intermediate cobalt chemical compound as a byproduct of mean of cash buyer and cash seller prices and yearend LME
tungsten recovery from cemented carbide scrap. GTP had a inventory levels are listed in table 1 (London Metal Exchange
partnership with Umicore whereby Umicore would toll process Ltd., The, undated a, b).
GTPs intermediate cobalt compound to cobalt metal powder, Electrolytic cobalt was also traded on Chinas Fanya Metal
starting in 2015 (Global Tungsten & Powders Corp., 2014; Exchange. Before Fanyas Web site was suspended in November,
n.v. Umicore, s.a., 2015a, p. 34, 77; undated). the exchange held about 23 t of cobalt (Anna Xu, 2016).
Consumption Foreign Trade
U.S. reported consumption of cobalt in 2015 was 3% more Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption
than that of 2014. Metallurgical industries used slightly less is one measure of the adequacy of current domestic production
cobalt than they did in 2014, and cobalt consumption for to meet U.S. demand. Net import reliance is defined as imports
chemical uses was 16% more than that of 2014. Reported minus exports plus adjustments for Government and industry
consumption statistics were derived by the USGS from stock changes. Releases from stocks, including shipments from
voluntary surveys of U.S. operations. Most of the cobalt the NDS, were counted as part of import reliance, regardless
chemical-use data were obtained from the cobalt processors of whether they were originally imported or produced in the
survey. A second survey covered a broad range of metal- United States. In 2015, net import reliance as a percentage of
consuming companies, such as cemented carbide, magnetic apparent consumption was 73%. Because U.S. cobalt mine
alloy, and superalloy producers. For this survey, more than production was exported to be refined, this indicates that 73%
50 cobalt consumers were canvassed on a monthly or annual of U.S. cobalt supply was from imports and stock releases of
basis. Reported consumption and stocks data in tables 1 and 2 refined cobalt and 27% was from domestic or imported scrap.
include estimates to account for nonrespondents. In 2015, the United States imported 11,400 t of cobalt
U.S. apparent consumption for 2015, as calculated from net contained in metal and chemical compounds, valued at
imports, consumption from purchased scrap, and changes in $334 million, essentially unchanged from the revised quantity
Government and industry stocks, was 18% more than that in of contained cobalt imported in 2014 (tables 3, 4). On the basis
2014 (table 1). The increase was a result of increases in net of cobalt content, 11 countries supplied 89% of U.S. imports.
imports and scrap consumption and a drawdown of industry China was the leading supplier, followed by Norway, Japan,
stocks in 2015 compared to those in 2014. Finland, Madagascar, Russia, Australia, South Africa, the
United Kingdom, Morocco, and Belgium. The United States
Prices also imported unwrought cobalt alloys (1,250 t, gross weight,
valued at $39.7 million), cobalt waste and scrap (812 t, gross
The annual average U.S. spot price for cathode (minimum
weight, valued at $12.1 million), and wrought cobalt and cobalt
of 99.8% cobalt), as reported by Platts Metals Week, was 7%
articles (211 t, gross weight, valued at $21.8 million).
less than that of 2014 (table 1). The overall price trend was
U.S. exports of unwrought cobalt and cobalt contained in
downward, although prices fluctuated during the year. The
chemicals were 3,830 t, valued at $91.1 million; 15% less by
highest price range was $13.90 to $15.50 per pound during
19.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

weight than the 4,500 t exported in 2014. As listed in table 5, Following the sale of the Cosmos Mine to Western Areas
on the basis of cobalt content, the leading destinations for these Ltd. in mid-2015, Glencore plc had one remaining nickel
exports were Canada, France, Ireland, Belgium, the United asset in Western AustraliaMinara Resources Ltd.s Murrin
Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. The United States also exported Murrin nickel-cobalt laterite mining and pressure-acid-leaching
1,890 t, gross weight, of wrought metal and cobalt articles operation. In 2015, Murrin Murrin produced 3,300 t of cobalt
valued at $108 million. metal (2,900 t in 2014); approximately 500 t of this 2015
production was from third-party feed (200 t in 2014) (Glencore
World Review plc, 2016, p. 55, 189, 196).
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (Vancouver, British Columbia,
World cobalt mine and refinery production each increased in
Canada) produced intermediate nickel-cobalt hydroxide from its
2015 compared with production in 2014. On the basis of tons
Ravensthorpe nickel-cobalt laterite mine and hydrometallurgical
of contained cobalt, China had the largest increase in refinery
processing plant in Western Australia. In 2015, the plant produced
production and Congo (Kinshasa), Cuba, Madagascar, and the
26,668 t of nickel and, based on the hydroxide containing 40%
United States had the largest increases in mine production.
nickel and 1.4% cobalt, an estimated 920 t of cobalt (36,445 t of
Cobalt was produced as a byproduct of copper, nickel,
nickel and an estimated 1,260 t of cobalt in 2014). The decrease in
and other metals, and as a primary product. Primary cobalt
production was attributed to a structural failure in an atmospheric
production included the mine and refinery production of
leaching tank, which disrupted production in December 2014.
Morocco, the artisanal mining of the mineral heterogenite in
The leach circuit was recommissioned in July, but the plant
Congo (Kinshasa), and the recovery of cobalt from previously
operated at reduced capacity for the remainder of the year
stockpiled intermediate materials [for example, slags in Congo
while refurbishment efforts took place. Most of Ravensthorpes
(Kinshasa)], which were processed primarily to recover cobalt.
hydroxide reportedly was sent to China, with lesser amounts sold
Refinery capacity by country is listed in table 6. The table
to Brazil and India (Metal Bulletin Daily, 2015b; First Quantum
does not include plants that processed refined cobalt, plants
Minerals Ltd., 2016, p. 26, 36).
that used secondary materials (scrap) as their main source of
Panoramic Resources Ltd. produced concentrates containing
feed, or plants that produced a cobalt product that required
465 t of cobalt (436 t in 2014) from its Savannah underground
further refining.
nickel-copper sulfide mine operation in Western Australia.
The following review by country focuses on operations
The concentrates were shipped to Jinchuan Group Co. Ltd.s
that produced cobalt in 2015. Expansions to those operations,
operations in China under a long-term offtake agreement. In
operation restarts, and greenfield projects that were forecast to
early 2016, Panoramic announced that it would place the mine
begin producing between 2016 and 2020 are listed in table 7.
on care-and-maintenance status to preserve the resource until
Australia.In 2015, Western Australian cobalt mine
nickel prices improved (Panoramic Resources Ltd., 2015,
production, which is a byproduct of the States nickel industry,
p. 5, 21; 2016, p. 34).
was estimated to be similar to that of 2014 (table 8). Australian
Mincor Resources NL mined nickel-copper sulfide ores from
production of refined cobalt, which included production from
its South Kambalda operations in Western Australia. All of
imported lateritic ore, decreased by 5% (table 9).
the ore was toll processed by BHP Billiton at its Nickel West
The Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery (owned by Australian
Kambalda concentrator and the resulting concentrate was sold
businessman Clive Palmer, operated by Queensland Nickel
to BHP Billiton under long-term agreements. In 2015, Mincor
Pty. Ltd.) in Townsville, Queensland, produced 1,850 t of
produced nickel concentrate from its Mariners and Miitel Mines
refined cobalt as cobalt oxide hydroxide; 27% less than the
and sold concentrate containing 96 t of cobalt (191 t in 2014).
2,519 t produced in 2014. Darton Commodities Ltd. (2016,
The company planned to cease mining at the end of January
p. 14) attributed the decrease to reduced feed supply and lower
2016 and implement a care-and-maintenance program in
cobalt recoveries. In recent years, the refinery has processed
response to continuing decreases in the price of nickel (Mincor
lateritic ore from the Brolga Mine and the Dingo Dam mining
Resources NL, 2015, p. 2; 2016).
lease of Metallica Minerals Ltd.s Lucky Break project, both
Belgium.According to the Cobalt Development Institute
in Queensland; lateritic ore imported from New Caledonia
(2016a), Umicores 2015 cobalt refinery production increased
and the Philippines; and an intermediate cobalt compound
by 8% to 6,306 t of contained cobalt from 5,850 t produced in
from Vale S.A.s New Caledonia operation. In early 2016,
2014. Umicore converted various cobalt materials into a wide
Queensland Nickel entered voluntary administration as a result
range of chemicals and metal powders at refineries in Olen,
of financial problems owing to the low nickel price and the
Belgium, and Ganzhou, China. In September 2015, Umicore
refinery temporarily ceased operations in March 2016 owing to
announced that it planned to upgrade its refinery in Olen
a shortage of ore supply (Cobalt Development Institute, 2016a;
to increase cobalt production, increase its ability to recycle
Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2016, p. 4142;
cobalt- and nickel-bearing residues, and improve efficiency.
Westbrook, 2016).
The company also had cobalt processing plants, which made
BHP Billiton Plcs Nickel West operations in Western
specialty chemicals or metal powders from refined cobalt or
Australia comprised nickel sulfide mines; concentrators, which
scrap, in Arab, AL, LaVergne, TN, and Wickliffe, OH; Bruges,
processed ores mined by BHP Billiton and other companies; the
Belgium; Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada; Jiangmen
Kalgoorlie smelter, where nickel matte was produced; and the
and Shanghai, China; and Cheonan, Republic of Korea
Kwinana nickel refinery, which produced cobalt in intermediate
(n.v. Umicore, s.a., 2015b).
nickel-cobalt sulfide (BHP Billiton Plc, 2016, p. 234235).

Botswana.In April, PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (Norilsk) Vale was considering phasing out smelting and refining
completed the sale of its 85% share in Tati Nickel Mining at Thompson, owing to Canadian sulfur dioxide emission
Co. Pty. Ltd. to BCL Ltd. Tati Nickel (15% Government of standards that came into effect in 2015. The company was
Botswana) mined the Phoenix open pit and produced nickel- allowed to continue smelting and refining through 2018, subject
copper sulfide concentrates containing cobalt, which were to negotiation of emission limits with Environment Canada
smelted to high-grade matte by BCL in Botswana. BCL also (Vale S.A., 2016a, p. 37).
smelted concentrate from its Selebi-Phikwe operation in Glencore reported that 800 t of the cobalt produced at its
Botswana (PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016b, p. 69, 206). Nikkelverk refinery in Norway originated from concentrates
Brazil.Votorantim Metais S.A. produced cobalt cathode at produced from its mines at Sudbury, Ontario, and Raglan,
its Sao Miguel Paulista, Sao Paulo State, refinery mainly from Quebec. This was the same as its Canadian production in 2014
lateritic nickel-cobalt ore mined from Niquelandia, Goias State. (Glencore plc, 2016, p. 189).
In January 2016, Votorantim announced that because of market The Fort Saskatchewan refinery, a joint venture of Sherritt
conditions it would temporarily suspend its nickel operations. and General Nickel Co. S.A., produced 3,733 t of cobalt as
The company reportedly planned to shut down mining metal powder and briquettes in 2015, 16% more than the 3,210 t
operations at Niquelandia in February and cease processing at produced in 2014). Approximately 88% of the cobalt originated
Niquelandia and refining at Sao Miguel Paulista in May (Metal from Cuba; the remainder was from purchased materials. As
Bulletin Daily, 2016). a result of a United States embargo on imports of products
During the first half of 2015, Mirabela Nickel Ltd. produced originating from Cuba, cobalt and nickel produced by Sherritt
149 t of cobalt in nickel sulfide concentrate from its Santa Rita could not be sold to customers in the United States (Sherritt
open pit mine and concentrator in Bahia State. In September, International Corp., 2016a, p. 10, 56, 87).
the company was placed under voluntary administration and China.China was the worlds leading producer and
production results were not released for the second half of consumer of refined cobalt. In 2015, Chinas imports of
the year. Production was cut back beginning in late October raw materials, production, consumption, and recovery from
to reduce operating costs in response to the low nickel price, scrap increased from those of 2014. Chinas total production,
and the company planned to place the mine on care-and- including an estimate for Umicores Ganzhou Yi Hao plant,
maintenance status in early 2016. The concentrate was sold to was estimated to constitute more than one-half of world refined
Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta Oy and an international trading firm cobalt production. Nearly 80% of Chinas cobalt consumption
(Mirabela Nickel Ltd., 2015, 2016). was used to make cathode materials for rechargeable batteries,
Canada.Vales global cobalt production was 4,533 t primarily lithium-ion batteries with cobalt or nickel-cobalt-
in 2015, 21% more than the 3,743 t produced in 2014. Vale manganese cathodes (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 3;
produced 1,448 t (1,362 t in 2014) of refined cobalt metal at its Aidong Xu, 2016, p. 3, 610).
Port Colborne, Ontario, refinery; 2,926 t (1,124 t in 2014) of Numerous companies refined and (or) processed cobalt in
cobalt in a cobalt intermediate product at its nickel operations China. As a result of consolidation in recent years, in 2015,
in Canada and New Caledonia; and 159 t (1,257 t in 2014) of more than 90% of Chinas refined cobalt was produced
cobalt contained in other intermediate products such as nickel by 10 companies and nearly 60% was produced by three
concentrates. Vales cobalt originated from company-owned companiesJinchuan, Shenzhen GEM High-Tech Co. Ltd.
nickel sulfide mines at Sudbury, Ontario, Thompson, Manitoba, (including subsidiary Jiangsu Cobalt Nickel Metal Co. Ltd.),
and Voiseys Bay in northeastern Labrador; from a company- and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd. In 2015, Huayou began
owned nickel laterite mine in New Caledonia; and from production at its newly constructed cobalt refinery in Quzhou,
purchased feedstock materials. Vale reported that 751 t (833 t in Zhejiang Province, reportedly bringing the companys total
2014) of cobalt came from Ontario, 365 t (489 t in 2014) came refining capacity to 15,000 t/yr of contained cobalt. As a
from Manitoba, 849 t (952 t in 2014) came from Voiseys Bay, result, Huayou increased its direct involvement in acquiring
2,391 t (1,384 t in 2014) came from New Caledonia, and 177 t raw materials from Congo (Kinshasa) and planned to triple
(84 t in 2014) came from external sources (Vale S.A., 2015, its capacity to produce battery precursor materials. The trend
p. 45; 2016a, p. 4849). of extending their businesses upstream towards raw materials
The decrease in Vales cobalt production from Voiseys supply and downstream towards cobalt products was being
Bay was attributed to a shift in the processing location of that adopted by most of Chinas cobalt refiners (Darton Commodities
mines nickel concentrate. During 2015, most of the Voiseys Ltd., 2016, p. 8; Aidong Xu, 2016, p. 5).
Bay nickel concentrate was shipped to Vales operations at Only a small portion of Chinas cobalt production originated
Sudbury and Thompson for smelting and refining. Some from domestic mines. Most of the production was from
Voiseys Bay concentrate was sent to Vales hydrometallurgical imported cobalt concentrate and intermediate chemical
refinery in Long Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, where compounds, the majority of which was sourced from Congo
it was blended with nickel matte from PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (Kinshasa). China also imported cobalt raw materials from
and refined. In the fourth quarter of 2015, a greater portion nickel operations in Australia and elsewhere and has been
of the nickel concentrate from Voiseys Bay was sent to the recovering increasing amounts of cobalt from scrap in recent
Long Harbour refinery, where cobalt production had not yet years. A comparison of Chinas cobalt supply (mine production,
commenced (Vale S.A., 2016a, p. 3738; 2016b, p. 18). imports of raw materials and refined metal, and cobalt recovered

from scrap) with its domestic cobalt consumption and exports produced in 2014. Production would have been significantly
indicated a stock buildup of 4,000 to 7,800 t in 2015. At yearend higher had the company not ceased processing copper and
2015, China reportedly held about 17,000 t of cobalt in stocks cobalt in September. Production of concentrates at the Kamoto
(Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 8, 25; Aidong Xu, 2016, concentrator and cobalt metal at the Luilu refinery were
p. 3, 7, 17, 19). suspended for up to 18 months, while the companys whole
Chinas State Reserve Bureau (SRB) continued to add ore leach project was being constructed. Ore extraction from
cobalt to its national stockpile in 2015. The SRB purchased the Kamoto underground mine and its extensions was also
400 t of cobalt in September and 1,800 t in November. The suspended, and mining from the KOV and Mashamba East
cobalt reportedly was sourced mainly from domestic producers open pits focused on waste mining with production of sufficient
Jinchuan and Jiangsu Cobalt Nickel Metal (Darton Commodities incidental ore for processing after the end of the suspension.
Ltd., 2016, p. 10; Aidong Xu, 2016, p. 16). Glencore was KCCs majority shareholder and had life-of-mine
Congo (Kinshasa).Congo (Kinshasa) was the worlds offtake agreements for all of KCCs copper and cobalt output
leading producer of mined cobalt and was estimated to (Katanga Mining Ltd., 2016, p. 12, 4, 6, 26).
represent one-half of global production. Some of the countrys Boss Mining SPRL [70% Eurasian Resources Group B.V.
cobalt mine production was from copper-cobalt ores mined by (ERG) and 30% Gcamines] mined copper-cobalt ore from
industrial or mechanized methods, and some was gathered by open pits at Mukondo Mountain and Kabolela and produced
tens of thousands of artisanal miners by handpicking cobalt-rich oxide and sulfide concentrates at the Kakanda concentrator.
ores. Spencer (2016b) identified a correlation between cobalt Boss Minings oxide concentrates were exported, primarily to
prices and the amount of cobalt mine production by artisanal China, and its sulfide concentrates were sent to the Chambishi
methods and estimated that artisanal mines in Congo (Kinshasa) Metals refinery in Zambia. Darton Commodities Ltd. estimated
produced approximately 10,500 t of cobalt in 2015. Some of a decrease in Boss Minings cobalt production from 8,500 t in
Congo (Kinshasa)s ores and concentrates were exported, some 2014 to 3,500 t in 2015. The decreases in cobalt contained in
were processed in Congo (Kinshasa) to intermediate materials oxide and sulfide concentrates were attributed to changes in ore
(crude cobalt carbonate, crude cobalt hydroxide, or cobalt- mineralogy (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 1517).
bearing alloys, such as alliage blanc), and some were refined In 2015, Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. [Freeport-
in Congo (Kinshasa) to cobalt metal. China was the leading McMoRan Inc. (FCX), Lundin, and Gcamines] extracted
destination for Congo (Kinshasa)s cobalt exports. In December, copper-cobalt ore from an open pit mine, which it processed
the Government of Congo (Kinshasa) extended a moratorium on onsite to produce 16,014 t of cobalt in hydroxide, 20% more
its 2013 ban on exports of copper and cobalt concentrates until than the 13,334 t produced in 2014. The increase in production
December 31, 2016. The justification for the moratorium was was attributed to higher cobalt ore grades. In 2015, a higher
the inadequate power supply to process the concentrates in the portion of the hydroxide reportedly was sold to the Freeport
country (Ross, 2016). Cobalt refinery in Finland, and the remainder was sold under
In 2015, the Government of Congo (Kinshasa) began the contract or on the spot market. The company forecast that it
process of dividing its existing 11 Provinces into 26. Following would sell 15,900 t of cobalt in 2016 (Darton Commodities Ltd.,
the division, the copper-cobalt deposits of the African 2016, p. 8; Lundin Mining Corp., 2016a, p. 40; 2016b, p. 25).
Copperbelt in the former Katanga Province were located in Socit Congolaise du Traitement du Terril de Lubumbashi
two Provinces. One was Lualaba Province, with Kolwezi as its (STL) (Groupe Forrest International and Gcamines) processed
capital, in the southwestern part of the former Katanga Province slag purchased from Gcamines via trading company
and the other was Haut-Katanga Province, with Lubumbashi Groupement du Terril de Lubumbashi (GTL). In 2015, STL
as its capital, in the southeastern part of the former Katanga (also known as the Big Hill smelter) processed stockpiled slag
Province (Grossman and Lewis, 2015). to produce an estimated 4,200 t of cobalt in alliage blanc. The
State-owned La Gnrale des Carrires et des Mines SARL alliage blanc was supplied to the Freeport Cobalt Oy refinery in
(Gcamines) held a minority interest in most of the copper- Finland until April 2015, when the offtake agreement expired
cobalt operations in Congo (Kinshasa). In 2015, Gcamines (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 8, 18).
produced an estimated 400 t of refined cobalt at its Shituru Mutanda Mining SPRL (Glencore and Fleurette Mumi Holding
refinery in Likasi, down from an estimated 500 t in 2014. In Ltd.) mined copper-cobalt oxide ore from open pits near Kolwezi
July, Gcamines sold the mining permit for Compagnie Minire and produced 16,500 t of cobalt in concentrate and hydroxide,
du Sud Katangas Luiswishi and Lukuni copper-cobalt deposits 15% more than the 14,400 t produced in 2014. The increase in
to Congo Dongfang International Mining SPRL (CDM). production was attributed to ongoing operational improvements.
CDM, a subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd., was Glencore had an offtake agreement for all of the operations
responsible for procuring cobalt concentrates for Huayous copper and cobalt production (Fleurette Group, 2016).
refineries in China and also producing crude cobalt hydroxide Chemaf SPRL mined copper-cobalt ore from the Etoile open
at its hydrometallurgical plant in Lubumbashi (La Gnrale pit mine and produced concentrate using heavy media separation
des Carrires et des Mines SARL, 2015; Cobalt Development technology, which it processed at its solvent extraction
Institute, 2016a; Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 8). electrowinning (SXEW) plant at Usoke in Lubumbashi.
Kamoto Copper Company SA (KCC) (Katanga Mining Ltd., In 2015, Chemaf reportedly made equipment and process
Gcamines, and La Socit Immobilire du Congo) produced improvements to increase plant throughput, recovery, and
2,901 t of cobalt cathode in 2015, 4% more than the 2,784 t capacity (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 20).

Ruashi Mining SPRL (75% Jinchuan subsidiary Metorex Inc. in Canada, and Titania AS in Norway; nickel matte from
(Proprietary) Ltd. and 25% Gcamines) produced 4,344 t of Kola MMC in Russia; and intermediate nickel-cobalt sulfide
cobalt in cobalt hydroxide (3,885 t in 2014) from its Ruashi from Talvivaara Mining Co. Plcs operation in Finland. The
operation east of Lubumbashi. The 12% increase in production nickel concentrates were toll smelted by Boliden AB prior to
was attributed to an increase in the grade of ore mined and processing by Norilsk. In 2015, improvements were made to
treated. Ruashi comprised a copper-cobalt oxide open pit mine, the refinery, with the intent of using more feed from Russia and
a mill, and an SXEW refinery. The cobalt hydroxide was sold less from other companies (PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2015;
to Jinchuan (Jinchuan Group International Resources Co. Ltd., 2016b, p. 1617, 67, 73).
2016, p. 10, 74). First Quantum produced mineral concentrates at its Kevitsa
Socit Minire du Katanga SPRL (Somika) mined and open pit nickel-copper-PGM sulfide mine and beneficiation
beneficiated copper-cobalt ore and refined the concentrate at plant. In 2015, the plant produced nickel concentrate containing
its hydrometallurgical copper refinery in Lubumbashi. In 2015, 8,805 t of nickel and, based on an estimated nickel-to-cobalt
the refinery produced 4,554 t of cobalt hydroxide (Province du ratio of 21:1 in the ore reserves, an estimated 420 t of cobalt
Katanga Division Provinciale de Mines, 2016). (9,433 t of nickel and an estimated 450 t of cobalt in 2014)
The La Sino-Congolaise des Mines S.A. (Sicomines) joint (First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 2016, p. 37).
venture (China Railway Group Ltd., Gcamines, Sinohydro In August, Terrafame Oy (a subsidiary of Terrafame Group
Corp., and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd.) completed Oy, owned by the Government of Finland) acquired the
construction of its copper-cobalt mine and beneficiation plant business and assets of Talvivaara Sotkamo Ltd. (a subsidiary of
and began production of copper and copper-cobalt concentrates. Talvivaara Mining Co. Plc) and restarted the polymetallic sulfide
China Railway had two additional operating copper-cobalt mining and bioheap-leaching operation in Sotkamo, central
mines in Congo (Kinshasa)Luishia and Miniere de Kalumbwe Finland. By yearend, the company had produced intermediate
Myunga (China Railway Group Ltd., 2016, p. 28; Province du nickel-cobalt sulfide containing 578 t of nickel and an estimated
Katanga Division Provinciale de Mines, 2016). 20 t of cobalt (Terrafame Oy, 2016, p. 34, 12).
Cuba.Moa Nickel S.A. (part of the 5050 joint venture Boliden AB changed its business strategy for nickel at its
between Sherritt and General Nickel) mined nickel-cobalt Harjavalta smelter. From mid-2015, Boliden stopped toll
laterites at Moa, Holguin Province, and produced intermediate smelting nickel concentrates owned by other companies and
nickel-cobalt sulfides, which were sent to the joint ventures instead began processing purchased nickel concentrates and
Fort Saskatchewan refinery in Canada. In 2015, the sulfides selling the resulting nickel matte (Boliden AB, 2016, p. 27).
contained 37,020 t of nickel and cobalt, slightly more than France.According to the Cobalt Development Institute
the 36,410 t produced in 2014 (Sherritt International Corp., (2016a), Eramet s.a.s production of cobalt chloride from
2016a, p. 87). its refinery at Sandouville was 39% less than production in
The Ernesto Che Guevara operation (also known as Punta 2014. Feed for the refinery was nickel matte imported from
Gorda) in Moa, Holguin Province, mined and processed nickel- Eramet subsidiary Socit Le Nickels Doniambo smelter in
cobalt laterites. In 2015, the processing plant reportedly was New Caledonia.
undergoing a debottlenecking program to increase output from India.According to an estimate by the Cobalt Development
about 30,000 t/yr of nickel plus cobalt to 36,000 t/yr of nickel Institute (2016a), Indias estimated cobalt production increased
plus cobalt. Nickel and cobalt originating in Cuba could not by 50% from that of 2014. Indias leading cobalt producer
be imported into the United States because of a United States was Nicomet Industries Ltd. The companys products
embargo on imports from Cuba (Wood Mackenzie Ltd., undated). included cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate (Nicomet Industries
Finland.Freeport Cobalt Oy (FCX, Lundin, and Ltd., undated).
Gcamines) produced 23% less cobalt at its refinery in Kokkola Indonesia.PT Vale Indonesia Tbk produced cobalt-bearing
compared with production in 2014. The decrease was attributed nickel matte from lateritic ores at its integrated mining and
to weaker demand from Japanese battery producers and a loss of smelting operation near Sorowako on Sulawesi Island. Vale
market share in some end-use markets. The company produced Indonesia sold its matte production to Vale Canada Ltd. (80%)
a wide range of cobalt chemicals and metal powders. In 2015, and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (20%) under life-of-mine
Freeport reportedly increased its use of intermediate cobalt agreements. Most of the matte was sent to nickel refineries in
hydroxides from the joint-venture partners Tenke Fungurume Japan (Vale S.A., 2016a, p. 39)
operation in Congo (Kinshasa). The plants offtake agreement Japan.Sumitomos production of electrolytic cobalt at its
for alliage blanc from GTLs Big Hill smelter in Congo Niihama nickel refinery increased by 17% from that of 2014.
(Kinshasa) ended in April 2015 (Darton Commodities Ltd., The refinery processed intermediate nickel-cobalt sulfides from
2016, p. 8; Geological Survey of Finland, 2016; Freeport Cobalt the Coral Bay Nickel Corp. and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp.
Oy, undated). plants in the Philippines and nickel matte from PT Vale in
Norilsks Harjavalta nickel refinery produced two cobalt Indonesia and elsewhere. Some of the refinerys intermediate
productscobalt sulfate and an intermediate cobalt sulfate cobalt chloride reportedly was sent to Sumitomos Isoura
solution. The refinerys main sources of feed in 2015 included battery materials plant, also in Niihama, to produce NCA battery
converter matte from BCL in Botswana and BHP Billiton in cathode materials (Cobalt Development Institute, 2016a; Darton
Australia; nickel concentrates from Norilsks Nkomati Mine in Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 11).
South Africa, Mirabela Nickel in Brazil, Canadian Royalties

Madagascar.In 2015, the Ambatovy joint venture (Sherritt, Nickel Mining Corp., listed in order of share) produced
Sumitomo Corp., and Korea Resources Corp.) produced intermediate nickel-cobalt sulfide from its high-pressure acid-
48,995 t of nickel and cobalt in intermediate sulfide (40,267 t leaching operation at the Rio Tuba nickel laterite mine on
in 2014) and 3,464 t of cobalt metal (2,915 t in 2014). The Palawan Island. Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. (Sumitomo,
Ambatovy project comprised mining nickel-cobalt laterite ore Nickel Asia Corp., and Mitsui, listed in order of share) produced
in east-central Madagascar and transporting slurried ore by intermediate nickel-cobalt sulfide from its high-pressure acid-
pipeline to a processing plant and refinery located near the Port leaching processing plant at Nickel Asias Taganito laterite
of Toamasina (Sherritt International Corp., 2016b, p. 12, 24). mine in the northeastern region of Mindanao Island. Sulfides
Morocco.Cie. de Tifnout Tighanimine (CTT) [a subsidiary from Coral Bay and Taganito were sent to Sumitomos Niihama
of Groupe Managem (Casablanca)] mined cobalt arsenide ores refinery in Japan.
and produced cobalt hydroxide at Bou-Azzer. The hydroxide Russia.According to the Cobalt Development Institute
was refined to cobalt cathode and oxide at CTTs Guemassa (2016a), Norilsk produced 2,040 t of refined cobalt, 11%
hydrometallurgical refinery north of Marrakech. CTT also less than the 2,302 t produced in 2014. Norilsk mined
had the capability to produce cobalt cathode from tailings and beneficiated nickel-copper sulfide ores, smelted the
generated during past mining operations at Bou-Azzer. In concentrates, and refined the matte on the Taimyr Peninsula
2015, CTTs production of refined cobalt increased by 24%, and the Kola Peninsula. On the Taimyr Peninsula, Norilsks
owing to increases in feed materials and recovery rates (Groupe Polar Divisions Nickel Plant produced cobalt ingot and cobalt
Managem, 2016, p. 4041). oxide from local ores. The company planned to close the Polar
New Caledonia.Vale continued to ramp up production Divisions nickel smelter and refinery and cease the Divisions
at its Vale New Caledonia project in the southern tip of New cobalt production in 2016 (PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016b,
Caledonias main island. The project comprised a nickel- p. 1415, 73, 82).
cobalt laterite mine, a high-pressure acid-leaching processing At Norilsks Severonikel refinery at Monchegorsk on the
plant, and a refinery. In 2015, Vale produced 2,391 t of cobalt Kola Peninsula, Kola MMC processed cobalt-bearing nickel
from New Caledonia (1,384 t in 2014). Statistics from the materials originating from Kola, the Polar Division, and
Government of New Caledonia indicated that Vale produced elsewhere to make an intermediate cobalt hydroxide. The
1,568 t of cobalt in carbonate (435 t in 2014). Following hydroxide reportedly was sent to China and elsewhere for
rampup, Vale New Caledonia was expected to have a nominal refining. Kola MMC completed construction of a cobalt refinery
production capacity of 57,000 t/yr of nickel contained in nickel at Monchegorsk and, in December, began producing high-grade
oxide and 4,500 t/yr of cobalt contained in an intermediate cobalt cathode (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, p. 18; PJSC
cobalt carbonate (Direction de lIndustrie, des Mines et de MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016a, p. 36; 2016b, p. 1617, 86).
lEnergie, 2016; Vale S.A., 2016a, p. 39, 49). South Africa.The Nkomati nickel sulfide mine (a joint
Lateritic nickel-cobalt ore was exported to the Palmer Nickel venture of African Rainbow Minerals Ltd. and Norilsk)
and Cobalt Refinery in Queensland, Australia, for processing. produced 1,112 t of cobalt in nickel concentrate in 2015 (1,096 t
Nickel matte from Socit Le Nickels Doniambo smelter was in 2014). Concentrate from Nkomati was refined at Norilsks
sent to Eramets refinery in Sandouville, France, where nickel Harjavalta refinery. In late 2014, Norilsk announced that it had
products and cobalt chloride were produced. In late 2015, entered an agreement to sell its share in Nkomati to BCL in
Eramet announced that it planned to cease production of matte Botswana; the sale had not closed by yearend 2015. As part
at Doniambo and increase its output of ferronickel instead of the sale agreement, BCL was to take over Norilsks offtake
(Eramet s.a., 2016, p. 31). agreement for Nkomati concentrate and Norilsk was to buy
Norway.Glencores production of cobalt cathode at its nickel matte from BCL to refine at Harjavalta (Antonioli, 2014;
Nikkelverk refinery was 14% less than that of 2014. The African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 2015, p. 83; 2016, p. 17; PJSC
companys Sudbury and Raglan operations in Canada supplied MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016b, p. 17, 69, 236).
26% of the cobalt refined at Nikkelverk; the remaining feed was Cobalt was also produced as a byproduct from some of South
a mix of intermediate products and secondary (scrap) materials Africas PGM operations. Two companies produced refined
sourced from other companies. The decrease in production was cobalt. Rustenburg Base Metals Refiners (Proprietary) Ltd. (a
the result of a decrease in cobalt recovered from feed materials subsidiary of Anglo American plc) produced cobalt sulfate at
sourced from other companies (Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, its base-metals refinery near Rustenburg, North West Province.
p. 9; Glencore plc, 2016, p. 189). Impala Platinum Ltd. produced cobalt metal powder at its base-
Papua New Guinea.The Ramu Nickel joint venture metals refinery near Springs, Gauteng Province. Some of the
(operated by majority owner Metallurgical Corporation of China cobalt produced by Impala was recovered from concentrates
Ltd.) continued to ramp up production from its Kurumbukari produced at the Mimosa platinum mine in Zimbabwe. Two
nickel-cobalt laterite mine and Basamuk high-pressure acid- other platinum producersLonmin plc and Northam Platinum
leaching processing plant. In 2015, the operation produced Ltd.operated base-metals refineries and produced intermediate
2,505 t of cobalt in intermediate nickel-cobalt hydroxide nickel sulfate containing cobalt.
(2,134 t in 2014). The hydroxide was exported to China for Spain.Lundin mined nickel-copper sulfide ore containing
refining (Highlands Pacific Ltd., 2016, p. 89). cobalt and precious metals from its Aguablanca operation in
Philippines.Coral Bay Nickel (a joint venture among Badajoz Province and produced nickel-copper concentrate
Sumitomo, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Sojitz Corp., and Rio Tuba containing 16% less nickel than that of 2014. The decrease was

attributed to shifting from open pit to underground mining early electricity supply. In 2015, CCS began trial production from its
in the year, and then suspending underground mining during the converter slag reduction furnace project, which had the capacity
third quarter. In early 2016, Lundin announced that it planned to process 100,000 t/yr of slag. The project was designed to
to permanently close the mine, owing to low nickel and copper produce 10,350 t/yr of copper-cobalt alloy containing 9.27%
prices (Lundin Mining Corp., 2016b, p. 23). cobalt (approximately 960 t/yr of cobalt in alloy). The second
Turkey.Meta Nikel Kobalt A.. (Meta Nikel Kobalt phase of the project, known as the High Grade Cobalt Matte
Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.. and Zorlu Holding A..) Metallurgy project, was to process 50,000 t/yr of matte
commissioned a high-pressure acid-leach plant at Gordes and beginning in 2016 (table 7) (China Nonferrous Mining Corp.
began trial production in December 2014. In 2015, commercial Ltd., 2016, p. 9, 20, 3031, 37).
production of intermediate nickel-cobalt hydroxide began. Consolidated Nickel Mines plc (CNM) had a lease and
The plant used nickel laterite ore from mines in Gordes in royalty agreement with Jinchuan for full operational control of
Manisa Province and Yunusemre in Eskisehir Province as feed. the Munali nickel mine and concentrator in southern Zambia.
The mixed hydroxide product was exported to China (Vestel CNM planned to restart operations at Munali in 2016, following
Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A, 2015, p. 47). receipt of the necessary agreements and permissions from the
Vietnam.Ban Phuc Nickel Mines LLP (Asian Mineral Government of Zambia. The mine was expected to produce
Resources Ltd.s subsidiary AMR Nickel Ltd. and state-owned nickel concentrate containing 160 t/yr of cobalt, which would
Mineral Development Co.) produced 277 t of cobalt in nickel- be smelted in southern Africa (Consolidated Nickel Mines plc,
copper concentrate (223 t in 2014). The Ban Phuc Mine and 2015, undated a, b).
beneficiation plant were located about 160 kilometers west Glencores Sable Zinc Kabwe Ltd. copper electrowinning
of Hanoi in Son La Province (Asian Mineral Resources Ltd., plant did not operate during 2015. In 2014, the Sable plant
2016, p. 2, 7). processed feed from third-party sources and produced 500 t of
Zambia.Cobalt is present in many of Zambias copper cobalt in hydroxide. Mopani Copper Mines Plc (Glencore, First
deposits, but Zambian copper operations do not report their Quantum, and ZCCM Investment Holdings, listed in order of
cobalt mine output. Production of refined cobalt, which was share) kept its Nkana cobalt refinery on care-and-maintenance
mainly from imported concentrates, decreased steeply from that status in 2015 (Glencore plc, 2016, p. 185).
of 2014. Zimbabwe.The Mimosa platinum mine (Aquarius Platinum
According to the Cobalt Development Institute (2016a), Ltd. and Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.) produced 88 t of cobalt
Chambishi Metals plc (90% ERG and 10% ZCCM Investments in concentrate (90 t in 2014). The concentrates were refined by
Holdings Plc) produced 2,997 t of cobalt metal at its Chambishi Impala in South Africa (Aquarius Platinum Ltd., 2015, p. 10;
refinery, 31% less than the 4,317 t produced in 2014. The 2016, p. 13).
decrease was the result of production being suspended from Zimplats Holdings Ltd. produced 56 t of cobalt from its
April into July, owing to a shortage of feed. The main source of platinum operations in 2015 (58 t in 2014). The company
feed for the refinery had been copper-cobalt sulfide concentrate completed feasibility studies on refurbishing the mothballed
from Boss Minings operations in Congo (Kinshasa). As cobalt base-metals refinery at its Selous Metallurgical Complex in
levels in the sulfide ores declined, Chambishi began diversifying Mashonaland West Province and began work on the project.
its feed, including importing cobalt hydroxide from Tenke The cobalt-bearing nickel sulfate produced from the base-metals
Fungurume (Metal Bulletin Daily, 2015a; Darton Commodities refinery would be further refined at other refineries in Zimbabwe
Ltd., 2016, p. 12). (Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 2015, p. 17, 21; 2016, p. 4).
Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) (Vedanta Resources Ltd. Bindura Nickel Corp. (BNC) operated the Trojan nickel
and ZCCM Investments Holdings) mined copper ores from sulfide mine and shipped concentrate to offtake partner
its Nchanga and Konkola operations. Cobalt in concentrate, Glencore. During the year, BNC worked to refurbish its nickel
mainly from the Nchanga open pit, was processed to a copper- smelter and planned to produce a nickel leach alloy from
iron-cobalt alloy at the companys Nchanga copper smelter concentrates produced at Trojan and other mines in Zimbabwe.
in Chingola. In addition to feed from KCMs mines, the The companys Shangani Mine and refinery remained on
smelter also processed copper-cobalt concentrates from other care-and-maintenance status (Asa Resource Group plc, 2015,
companies. Darton Commodities Ltd. (2016, p. 19) estimated p. 2, 8, 22, 26).
that KCMs production of cobalt in alloy decreased from 1,700 t
in 2014 to 1,400 t in 2015, owing to lower feed grades, lower Outlook
equipment availability, and power restrictions at Nchanga.
Trends in cobalt consumption closely follow those of global
China Nonferrous Mining Corp. Ltd. (CNMC) mined
industrial production. Increasing consumption, particularly
and processed copper-cobalt ore in the Zambian Copperbelt
for rechargeable batteries for vehicles and other applications,
through four majority-owned subsidiariesNFC Africa Mining
superalloys, and cemented carbide and diamond tools, is forecast
Plc. (NFCA), CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines Plc. (CLM),
to result in a 68% increase in total cobalt consumption from 2015
Chambishi Copper Smelter Ltd. (CCS), and Sino-Metal
to 2025 (Spencer, 2016a, p. 6).
Leach Zambia Ltd. CCS smelted copper concentrates from
Global cobalt supply was forecast to decrease in 2016
NFCA, CLM, and other miners. In September, production was
compared with that of 2015. With regard to concentrates and
suspended at CLMs Baluba Center Mine, processing plant,
partially refined materials, the combined decrease in production
and slag copper recovery project owing to a 30% reduction in
from some operations was forecast to be greater than the

combined increase from others. With regard to refined cobalt Darton Commodities Ltd., 2016, Cobalt market review 20152016: Guildford,
supply, during the first half of 2016, world production of refined United Kingdom, Darton Commodities Ltd., January, 41 p.
Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials, 2015, Annual materials plan
cobalt was estimated to have been 5% less than that of the first for FY 2016 for possible acquisition of new NDS stocks: Fort Belvoir, VA,
half of 2015. Production from China, the leading source of refined Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials news release, October 1, 1 p.
cobalt, decreased by a significant amount and operations at Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2016, Queenslands metalliferous
three refineriesKamoto Copper Companys refinery in Congo and industrial minerals2015: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Department
of Natural Resources and Mines, Geological Survey of Queensland, 83 p.
(Kinshasa), the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery in Australia, (Accessed July 7, 2016, at https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_
and Votorantims refinery in Brazilwere suspended for file/0009/374859/metalliferous-industrial-minerals.pdf.)
economic and (or) other reasons beginning in late 2015 or early Direction de lIndustrie, des Mines et de lEnergie, 2016, Productions et
2016 (Cobalt Development Institute, 2016b; Darton Commodities exportations minieres & metallurgiques de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Dcembre 2015: Noumea, New Caledonia, Direction de lIndustrie, des
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stockpiles in China are reportedly being drawn down. A shift First Quantum Minerals Ltd., February 18, 48 p.
from surplus to deficit was forecast for 2016. Without new Fleurette Group, 2016, Mutanda Mining SARLFourth quarter and 2015
producers entering the market in the medium term, or a major calendar year production report: Kinshasa, Congo (Kinshasa), Fleurette
shift to battery chemistries with less cobalt, an extended period Group news release, February 11, 2 p.
Formation Metals Inc., 2016, Corporate presentation: Vancouver,
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Australia, Mirabela Nickel Ltd. news release, February 19, 1 p. at https://www.woodmac.com/reports/metals-punta-gorda-nickel-
Nicomet Industries Ltd., [undated], About usProfile: Mumbai, India, Nicomet operation-15920389.)
Industries Ltd. (Accessed March 21, 2016, at http://www.nicomet.com/ Xu, Aidong, 2016, China cobalt industry review: The Cobalt Conference,
aboutus.htm.) Cobalt Development Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, May 1112,
n.v. Umicore, s.a., 2015a, Annual report 2014: Brussels, Belgium, n.v. Umicore, presentation, 22 p.
s.a., 196 p. Xu, Anna, 2016, Yunnan tells Fanya investors to make claims before
n.v. Umicore, s.a., 2015b, Umicore set to invest in cobalt refining and recycling end-June: Metal Bulletin, June 23. (Accessed June 23, 2016, via
plant in Olen, Belgium: Brussels, Belgium, n.v. Umicore, s.a. news release, http://www.metalbulletin.com.)
September 30, 1 p. Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 2015, Integrated annual report 2015: St. Peter Port,
n.v. Umicore, s.a., [undated], Plants and offices: Brussels, Belgium, n.v. Guernsey [United Kingdom], Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 168 p.
Umicore, s.a. (Accessed December 29, 2016, at http://csm.umicore.com/en/ Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 2016, Directors report and condensed consolidated
about-us/.) interim financial statementsHalf year ended 31 December 2015: St. Peter
Panoramic Resources Ltd., 2015, Quarterly report for the period ending Port, Guernsey [United Kingdom], Zimplats Holdings Ltd., 20 p.
30 June 2015: Perth, Western Australia, Australia, Panoramic Resources Ltd.,
July 29, 27 p. GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Panoramic Resources Ltd., 2016, Quarterly report for the period ending
31 December 2015: Perth, Western Australia, Australia, Panoramic Resources U.S. Geological Survey Publications
Ltd., January 29, 20 p.
PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2015, Grand commissioning of new processing
facilities at Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta: Moscow, Russia, PJSC MMC
Cobalt. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual.
Norilsk Nickel press release, November 10. (Accessed February 16, 2016, Cobalt. Ch. in United States Mineral Resources, Professional
at http://www.nornik.ru/en/newsroom/news-and-press-releases/news/grand- Paper 820, 1973.
commissioning-of-new-processing-facilities-at-norilsk-nickel-harjavalta.) Cobalt. International Strategic Minerals Inventory Summary
PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016a, 2015 financial results: Moscow, Russia,
PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, presentation, March 15, 42 p.
Report, Circular 930F, 1987.
PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, 2016b, Annual report 2015: Moscow, Russia, PJSC Cobalt. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly.
MMC Norilsk Nickel, 240 p. Cobalt (Co). Ch. in Metal Prices in the United States Through
PolyMet Mining Corp., 2016, Form 20F for the fiscal year ended 2010, Scientific Investigations Report 20125188, 2013.
January 31, 2016: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 62 p.
Province du Katanga Division Provinciale de Mines, 2016, Statistiques
CobaltFor Strength and Color. Fact Sheet 20113081, 2011.
des notes de dbit relatives la redevance minire mises de janvier Cobalt Recycling in the United States in 1998. Ch. in Flow
dcembre 2015: Lubumbashi, Congo (Kinshasa), Province du Katanga Studies for Recycling Metal Commodities in the United
Division Provinciale de Mines, January 5. (Accessed April 12, 2016, at States, Circular 1196AM, 2004.
http://www.congomines.org/system/attachments/assets/000/001/085/original/
Statistiques_2015.pdf?1454424782.)
Co-Cu-Au Deposits in Metasedimentary RocksA Preliminary
Ross, Aaron, 2016, Congo delays ban on copper and cobalt concentrate Report. Open-File Report 20101212, 2010.
exports: Thomson Reuters, January 13. (Accessed January 13, 2016, at Historical Statistics for Mineral and Material Commodities in
http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN0UR0IV20160113.) the United States. Data Series 140.
Shedd, K.B., 2017, Cobalt: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity
Summaries 2017, p. 5253.
Magmatic Sulfide-Rich Nickel-Copper Deposits Related to
Sherritt International Corp., 2016a, 2015 annual information form: Toronto, Picrite and (or) Tholeiitic Basalt Dike-Sill ComplexesA
Ontario, Canada, Sherritt International Corp., 101 p. Preliminary Deposit Model. Open-File Report 20101179,
Sherritt International Corp., 2016b, 2015 annual report: Toronto, Ontario, 2010.
Canada, Sherritt International Corp., 144 p.
Spencer, Edward, 2016a, Cobalt supply and demandA global perspective: The
Ni-Co Laterite Deposits of the WorldDatabase and Grade and
Cobalt Conference, Cobalt Development Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Tonnage Models. Open-File Report 20111058, 2011.
May 1112, presentation, 22 p. Sediment-Hosted Copper Deposits of the WorldDeposit
Spencer, Edward, 2016b, The true extent of the DRCs artisanal cobalt Models and Database. Open-File Report 03107, 2003.
industry: London, United Kingdom, CRU Group, March 22. (Accessed
March 22, 2016, at http://www.crugroup.com/about-cru/cruinsight/
DRC-Artisanal-Cobalt-Industry.)
Other
Stillwater Mining Co., 2016, 2015 annual report: Littleton, CO, Stillwater
Mining Co., 112 p. Cobalt. Ch. in Mineral Facts and Problems, U.S. Bureau of
Terrafame Oy, 2016, Annual report 2015: Tuhkakyla, Finland, Terrafame Oy, Mines Bulletin 675, 1985.
129 p. Cobalt. Mineral Profile, British Geological Survey, 2009.
U.S. Department of Defense, 2016, Strategic and critical materials operations
Cobalt Development Institute.
report to CongressOperations under the Strategic and Critical Materials
Stock Piling Act during fiscal year 2015: Fort Belvoir, VA, U.S. Department CRU Group.
of Defense, January, 72 p. DATAWEB, U.S. International Trade Commission.
Vale S.A., 2015, Form 20F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014: U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials.
Securities and Exchange Commission, 164 p.
Federal Register, daily.
Materials Flow of Cobalt in the United States, The. U.S. Bureau Strategic and Critical Materials Operations Report to Congress.
of Mines Information Circular 9350, 1993. U.S. Department of Defense.
Metal Bulletin, daily. UN Comtrade, United Nations.
Roskill Information Services Ltd. USA Trade Online, Bureau of Census.
tablE 1
SalIENt Cobalt StatIStICS1
(Metric tons, cobalt content, unless otherwise specified)
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

United States:
Mine productione (2) (2) (2) 120 760
Consumption:
Reported 9,180 8,660 8,090 8,560 8,780
r r r r
apparent 9,300 9,540 8,650 8,710 10,300
r r
Imports for consumption 10,600 11,100 10,400 11,300 11,400
r
Exports 3,320 3,760 3,850 4,500 3,830
Stocks, December 31:
Industry3 784 730 821 1,160 r
1,080
London Metal Exchange (LME), U.S. warehouse 43 51 41 9 165
U.S. Government:4
Metal 301 301 301 301 301
Lithium-cobalt oxidee -- -- -- 0.055 0.145
Lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxidee -- -- -- 0.007 0.062
Price, metal:
U.S. spot5 dollars per pound 17.99 14.07 12.89 14.48 13.44
lME, cash6 do. 16.01 13.06 12.26 14.00 12.90
World:
Production:
Minee 111,000 105,000 r
114,000 122,000 r
126,000
r r
Refinery 82,400 78,100 86,700 92,700 97,400
Stocks, December 31, LME7 304 429 560 489 630
e
Estimated. rRevised. do. Ditto. -- Zero.
1
Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except prices.
2
Negligible.
3
Stocks held by cobalt processors and consumers.
4
Source: Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials. The cobalt content of compounds listed was estimated as 60% of gross weight for
lithium-cobalt oxide and 9% of gross weight for lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide.
5
Annual average U.S. spot price for minimum 99.8% cobalt cathode reported by Platts Metals Week.
6
Annual average mean of the cash buyer price and cash seller price, minimum 99.3% cobalt briquettes, cathode, ingot, or rounds, converted
from dollars per metric ton.
7
Stocks held in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

tablE 2
U.S. REPORTED CONSUMPTION AND STOCKS OF COBALT1, 2
(Metric tons, cobalt content)
2014 2015
Consumption by end use:
Steels and other alloys, excludes superalloys3 1,510 1,390
Superalloys 3,930 3,960
Cemented carbides4 783 726
Chemical and ceramic uses 2,330 2,710
total 8,560 8,780
Consumption by form:
Chemical compounds, organic and inorganic5 2,190 2,060
Metal 4,170 3,980
Purchased scrap 2,200 2,750
total 8,560 8,780
Stocks, December 31:6
Chemical compounds, organic and inorganic5 512 r 475
Metal W W
Purchased scrap W W
total 1,160 r 1,080
r
Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included
in total.
1
Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to
totals shown.
2
Includes estimates.
3
Includes magnetic alloys, nonferrous alloys, welding materials, wear-resistant
alloys, and other metallic uses not listed.
4
Includes diamond tool matrices, cemented and sintered carbides, and cast
carbide dies or parts.
5
Includes oxides.
6
Stocks held by cobalt processors and consumers.
TABLE 3
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF COBALT, BY FORM1
2014 2015
Gross weight Cobalt content2 Value Gross weight Cobalt content2 Value
Form (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (metric tons) (thousands)
Metal3 9,000 r
9,000 r
$269,000 r 9,290 9,290 $267,000
r r
Oxides and hydroxides 2,400 1,730 57,200 r 1,750 1,260 40,200
other:
acetates 239 57 1,880 138 33 1,130
Carbonates 556 256 9,460 783 360 13,800
Chlorides 15 4 157 r 16 4 157
Sulfates 1,020 276 7,960 1,690 458 11,200
total 13,200 r 11,300 r 346,000 r 13,700 11,400 334,000
r
Revised.
1
Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2
Estimated from gross weight.
3
Unwrought cobalt, excluding alloys and waste and scrap.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

tablE 4
U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF COBALT, BY COUNTRY1
Metal2 Oxides and hydroxides other forms3 total

Gross Cobalt Gross Cobalt Gross Cobalt Gross Cobalt
weight content4 weight content4 weight content4 weight content4
(metric (metric Value5 (metric (metric 5
Value (metric(metric Value5 (metric (metric Value5
Country of origin tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands) tons) tons) (thousands)
2014:
australia 975 975 $27,400 -- -- -- -- -- -- 975 975 $27,400
belgium 18 18 724 510 r 368 r $13,000 r 137 37 $725 665 r 423 r 14,500 r
brazil 80 80 2,300 14 10 144 84 25 1,070 r 178 115 3,520

Canada 120 120 5,760 1 1 31 -- -- -- 121 120 5,790
China 1,400 1,400 40,300 357 r 257 r 8,150 r 280 103 3,590 2,030 r 1,760 52,100 r
Congo (Kinshasa) 20 20 568 166 120 4,210 -- -- -- 186 140 4,780

Finland 617 617 21,600 294 212 7,210 847 285 9,450 1,760 1,110 38,300
France 30 r 30 r 1,420 r 1 1 23 -- -- -- 30 r 30 r 1,450 r
Germany 30 30 1,430 5 4 522 5 1 40 40 35 1,990

India -- -- -- -- -- -- 159 43 1,410 159 43 1,410
Japan 1,100 r 1,100 r 31,700 r (6) (6) 4 -- -- -- 1,100 r 1,100 r 31,700 r
Madagascar 589 589 17,600 -- -- -- -- -- -- 589 589 17,600

Mexico -- -- -- -- -- -- 23 11 135 23 11 135
Morocco 117 117 3,560 -- -- -- -- -- -- 117 117 3,560
Norway 1,910 1,910 56,800 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,910 1,910 56,800
Russia 930 930 27,200 -- -- -- (6) (6) 5r 930 930 27,200
South africa 389 389 11,500 -- -- -- -- -- -- 389 389 11,500
Sweden 19 19 937 -- -- -- -- -- -- 19 19 937
taiwan (6) (6) 18 -- -- -- 131 r 35 936 r 131 r 36 954 r
United Kingdom 23 23 1,010 1,040 749 23,700 144 46 1,870 1,210 818 26,600
Zambia 634 634 17,300 -- -- -- -- -- -- 634 634 17,300
other 6 6 281 r 10 7 195 22 7 212 39 20 688
total 9,000 r 9,000 r 269,000 r 2,400 r 1,730 r 57,200 r 1,830 593 19,500 13,200 r 11,300 r 346,000 r
2015:
australia 600 600 16,100 -- -- -- -- -- -- 600 600 16,100
belgium 22 22 799 563 406 13,300 94 25 727 679 453 14,800
brazil 211 211 5,780 -- -- -- 63 19 802 274 230 6,580
Canada 384 384 14,000 (6) (6) 3 3 1 17 388 385 14,000
China 1,470 1,470 43,800 315 227 7,100 732 242 7,890 2,520 1,940 58,800
Finland 528 528 17,100 317 228 7,210 1,110 379 12,100 1,950 1,130 36,400
France 26 26 1,210 -- -- -- -- -- -- 26 26 1,210
Germany 81 81 5,060 (6) (6) 19 4 1 32 86 83 5,120
India (6) (6) 7 -- -- -- 135 36 886 135 37 894
Italy 8 8 293 (6) (6) 8 17 5 113 25 13 414
Japan 1,190 1,190 32,800 (6) (6) 4 1 (6) 17 1,190 1,190 32,900
Korea, Republic of 2 2 81 20 14 272 -- -- -- 21 16 353
Madagascar 840 840 24,300 -- -- -- -- -- -- 840 840 24,300
Morocco 472 472 12,900 -- -- -- -- -- -- 472 472 12,900
Norway 1,730 1,730 48,900 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,730 1,730 48,900
Peru -- -- -- -- -- -- 237 66 596 237 66 596
Russia 830 830 23,700 -- -- -- 18 5 106 848 835 23,800
South africa 501 501 8,870 -- -- -- -- -- -- 501 501 8,870
Sweden 15 15 854 -- -- -- -- -- -- 15 15 854
Uganda 26 26 674 -- -- -- -- -- -- 26 26 674
United Kingdom 37 37 1,430 535 385 12,200 203 71 2,810 775 493 16,500
Zambia 308 308 7,940 -- -- -- -- -- -- 308 308 7,940
other 16 16 480 -- -- -- 19 5 190 35 21 671
total 9,290 9,290 267,000 1,750 1,260 40,200 2,630 855 26,300 13,700 11,400 334,000
r
Revised. -- Zero.
1
2
Unwrought cobalt, excluding alloys and waste and scrap; includes cobalt cathode and cobalt metal powder; may include intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy.
3
Includes cobalt acetates, cobalt carbonates, cobalt chlorides, and cobalt sulfates.
4
5
Customs value.
6
less than unit.

tablE 5
U.S. EXPORTS OF COBALT, BY COUNTRY1, 2
Metal3 Oxides and hydroxides acetates Chlorides total

Gross Gross Gross Gross Cobalt
weight Value4 weight Value4 weight Value4 weight Value4 content5 Value4
Country of destination (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)
2014 4,070 $102,000 536 $5,720 181 $3,380 3 $44 4,500 $111,000
2015:
argentina 7 290 -- -- -- -- -- -- 7 290
australia 25 819 (6) 15 -- -- -- -- 26 834
austria 12 279 -- -- -- -- -- -- 12 279
belgium 278 5,380 57 938 141 1,050 -- -- 353 7,370
brazil 3 134 14 346 -- -- -- -- 13 480
Canada 846 8,230 (6) 8 -- -- -- -- 846 8,240
China 57 1,970 8 322 -- -- -- -- 63 2,290
Finland 11 601 -- -- -- -- -- -- 11 601
France 788 15,000 -- -- -- -- -- -- 788 15,000
Germany 201 10,900 1 29 -- -- -- -- 201 10,900
Hong Kong 9 374 98 600 -- -- -- -- 79 974
Hungary 7 467 -- -- -- -- -- -- 7 467
India 52 2,130 -- -- 38 334 -- -- 62 2,470
Ireland 639 15,200 -- -- -- -- -- -- 639 15,200
Italy 13 885 (6) 16 -- -- -- -- 13 901
Japan 187 7,070 -- -- -- -- -- -- 187 7,070
Korea, Republic of 65 3,060 -- -- -- -- -- -- 65 3,060
Mexico 9 439 10 265 1 10 (6) 4 17 718
Netherlands 66 1,660 1 34 -- -- -- -- 66 1,700
Singapore 34 2,100 1 57 -- -- -- -- 34 2,160
taiwan 45 1,190 1 26 -- -- -- -- 45 1,220
Turkey 21 620 -- -- -- -- -- -- 21 620
United Kingdom 228 5,830 (6) 7 -- -- -- -- 228 5,840
other 42 2,470 1 23 -- -- (6) 3 43 2,490
total 3,640 87,000 192 2,690 180 1,390 (6) 7 3,830 91,100
-- Zero.
1
2
In addition to the materials listed, the United States exported cobalt ores and concentrates and wrought cobalt and cobalt articles.
3
Includes unwrought cobalt, powders, waste and scrap, and mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy.
4
Free alongside ship value.
5
6
less than unit.

tablE 6
WORLD ANNUAL COBALT REFINERY
CAPACITY, DECEMBER 31, 20151, 2
Country Capacity
australia 6,700
belgium 1,500
e
brazil 3,000
e
Canada 6,520
e
China 50,000
e
Congo (Kinshasa) 9,050
e
Finland 13,000
France 500
e
India 2,060
Japan 4,500
Madagascar 5,600
Morocco 2,250
Norway 5,200
e
Russia 10,000
e
South africa 1,500
Uganda 720
Zambia 9,600
e
total 132,000
e
Estimated.
1
Data are rounded to no more than three significant
digits; may not add to total shown.
2
Includes standby capacity. Refinery products include
cobalt metal, metal powders, oxides, and (or) salts.

tablE 7
COBALT: SELECTED PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION, BY YEAR, 2016201, 2
annual
production
capacity
Projected (metric
year of first Principal tons, cobalt
production Country Project and company Project type metal ore/feed type content) Cobalt product
2016 australia Nova Nickel new mine and nickel nickel-copper sulfide 1,000 Cobalt in nickel
Indepence Group NL beneficiation plant ore concentrate.
2016 Congo Etoile Leach SXEW3 plant new refinery copper copper-cobalt 3,800 Cobalt hydroxide.
(Kinshasa) Chemaf SPRL tailings
2016r Mexico El boleo new mine and refinery do. copper-cobalt-zinc- 1,700 Cobalt cathode.
Minera y Metalrgica del manganese oxide
Boleo, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and sulfide ore
(Korean Consortium4 and
baja Mining Corp.)
2016r Uganda Kilembe reopen former mine do. copper-cobalt ore Na Cobaltic-pyrite
Tibet Hima Industry Co. Ltd. tailings.
consortium5
6
2016 Zambia High Grade Cobalt Matte adapt existing smelter cobalt high-grade cobalt 475 Na.
Metallurgy matte
Chambishi Copper Smelter
ltd. (China Nonferrous
Mining Corp. ltd. and
Yunnan Copper Industry
Group Co. Ltd.) and
Hunan Shijiyintianxinye
technology Co., ltd.
2016 Do. Munali nickel mine restart production from nickel nickel-copper-cobalt- 160 Cobalt in nickel
Consolidated Nickel Mines plc existing mine platinum-group concentrate.
metals sulfide ore
2016r Do. Synclinorium expansion of existing copper copper-cobalt ore Na Copper-cobalt ore.
Mopani Copper Mines Plc mine
(Glencore plc, First Quantum
Minerals ltd., and ZCCM
Investment Holdings Plc)
e, 6
2017e australia Rocklands Group Copper, new mine and do. copper-cobalt-gold 600 Cobaltic-pyrite
stage 1 beneficiation plant oxide and sulfide concentrate.
CuDeco ltd. ore
2017 Canada NICo new mine, relocated gold gold-cobalt-bismuth- 1,860 Cobalt sulfate and
Fortune Minerals Ltd. and refurbished copper ore other cobalt
beneficiation plant, salts.
and refinery
2017 Congo COMMUS (Kolwezi Copper new mine copper copper-cobalt ore Na Na.
(Kinshasa) Mine)
la Compagnie Miniere de
Musonoie Global SAS [Jin
Cheng Mining ltd. (Zijin
Mining Group Co., Ltd.), La
Gnrale des Carrires et des
Mines SARL (Gcamines),
and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt
Co., ltd.]
2017e Turkey Caldag mine, atmospheric tank nickel nickel-cobalt laterite 900 Cobalt cathode.
Caldag Nikel Madencilik leach processing ore
San. ve Tic A. . plant, and refinery
e
2018e australia Esperance Nickel Sulphate Plant new refinery do. nickel-cobalt 100 Cobalt carbonate.
Alpha Fine Chemicals Ltd. hydroxide
See footnotes at end of table.

tablE 7Continued
COBALT: SELECTED PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION, BY YEAR, 2016201, 2
annual
production
capacity
Projected (metric
year of first Principal tons, cobalt
production Country Project and company Project type metal ore/feed type content) Cobalt product
2018 Congo SXEW3 copper smelter near new refinery copper copper-cobalt oxide Na Cobalt hydroxide.
(Kinshasa) Kolwezi ore
Chinalco Yunnan Copper
Resources ltd.
2018e Do. Metalkol RTR [Roan Tailings do. do. copper-cobalt tailings 14,000 Do.
Reclamation (formerly
Kolwezi tailings)], phase 1
Eurasian Resources Group, La
Gnrale des Carrires et des
Mines SARL (Gcamines),
and Government of Congo
(Kinshasa)
e
2018e Do. Project Minier, stage 2 expansion of new mine do. copper-cobalt ore 4,600 Do.
La Sino-Congolaise des and beneficiation
Mines S.a. (Sicomines) plant; add new
[China Railway Group Ltd., processing plant
La Gnrale des Carrires
et des Mines SaRl
(Gcamines), Sinohydro
Corp., and Zhejiang Huayou
Cobalt Co., Ltd.]
6
2018r, e United States Idaho Cobalt new mine and refinery cobalt stratiform cobalt- 1,260 Cobalt sulfate.
(Idaho) Formation Metals Inc. copper-gold ore
2018 Zambia Chambishi Southeast Mine new mine copper copper-cobalt ore Na Copper-cobalt
NFC Africa Mining Plc (China concentrate.
Nonferrous Mining Corp. ltd.
and ZCCM Investment
Holdings Plc)
2019r United States NorthMet, phase 1 new mine and do. copper-nickel- 360 Cobalt in nickel
(Minnesota) PolyMet Mining Corp. beneficiation plant platinum-group concentrate.
metals sulfide ore
e
Estimated. rRevised. Do., do. Ditto. NA Not available.
1
Estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits.
2
Projects in feasibility or later stages of development in 2015. Actual startup dates may be postponed owing to economic or other factors. Additional
projects might produce cobalt by 2020, but not enough information was available to include them.
3
SXEW solvent extractionelectrowinning.
4
The Korean consortium comprises the following companies: Korea Resources Corp., L.S. Nikko Copper Inc., Hyundai Hysco Co. Ltd., SK Networks Co. Ltd.,
and Iljin Copper Foil Co. Ltd.
5
the consortium comprises the following companies: Chinalco luoyang Copper (aluminum Corp. of China ltd.), Dongfang Electric Corp., Shanghai
Baosteel Group Corp., Tibet Hima Industry Co. Ltd., and Yunnan Copper Industry Co. Ltd.
6
average production.

TABLE 8
COBALT: WORLD MINE PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2
Country3 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015e

4
australia 3,848 5,870 6,410 5,978 6,000
botswana5 149 195 248 196 316 6
r, p
brazil 3,623 2,900 3,500 3,828 3,800
Canada7 6,836 6,676 7,168 6,907 r
6,904 p, 6
e r
China 6,800 7,500 7,200 7,700 7,700
Congo (Kinshasa)e, 8 59,000 52,000 r
56,000 61,000 r
63,000
Cubae, 9 5,100 4,900 4,200 3,700 4,300
e
Finland 500 635 750 770 440
e, 10
Indonesia 1,600 1,700 1,700 1,300 1,300
Madagascare, 11 500 630 2,200 3,100 3,700
e, 12 r
Morocco 2,160 2,000 2,000 2,150 2,600
e, 13
New Caledonia 3,100 2,670 3,190 4,040 3,680
Papua New Guinea14 -- 469 1,013 2,134 2,505 6
e, 15 r
Philippines 2,000 2,700 2,800 4,600 4,300
Russiae, 16 6,100 6,300 6,300 6,300 6,200
South africae 1,600 2,500 3,000 3,000 3,000
United Statese, 16, 17 -- -- -- 120 760
e 6
Vietnam -- -- 25 223 277
18 r, e
Zambia 7,702 5,435 5,919 4,600 4,600
Zimbabwe19 174 195 319 358 360
e r r
total 111,000 105,000 114,000 122,000 126,000
e
Estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised. -- Zero.
1
Totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2
Includes data available through May 24, 2017. Figures represent recoverable cobalt content of ores, concentrates, or intermediate
products from cobalt, copper, nickel, platinum, or zinc operations.
3
In addition to the countries listed, Spain and Turkey are known to produce ores that contain cobalt, but information is inadequate
to make reliable estimates of production. Poland produced copper ore containing 1,500 to 5,000 metric tons per year of cobalt,
which was not recovered. Other copper-, nickel-, platinum-, or zinc-producing nations may also produce ores containing cobalt
as a byproduct component, but recovery is small or nil.
4
Cobalt content of lateritic nickel ore and nickel concentrate reported by the government of Western Australia.
5
Reported cobalt content of pelletized nickel-copper matte.
6
Reported figure.
7
Assay content of cobalt in concentrates produced.
8
Cobalt content of concentrates, tailings, and slags.
9
Determined from reported cobalt content of nickel-cobalt sulfide production and estimated cobalt content of ammoniacal
liquor production.
10
Cobalt content of nickel matte plus estimated cobalt in lateritic ore processed in Australia.
11
Data for 201215 are estimated cobalt content of reported mixed sulfide production.
12
Cobalt content of concentrate estimated from reported gross weight.
13
Cobalt contained in the following materials: cobalt chloride produced in France from New Caledonian matte, cobalt carbonate
and nickel hydroxide produced in New Caledonia, and lateritic nickel ore exported to Australia.
14
Cobalt content of nickel-cobalt hydroxide.
15
Cobalt contained in the following materials: nickel-cobalt sulfide produced in the Philippines and lateritic nickel ore exported
to australia.
16
Cobalt content of concentrates.
17
Negligible production prior to 2014.
18
Data for 201113 were reported by the Bank of Zambia.
19
Data for 201114 were reported by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.

tablE 9
COBALT: WORLD REFINERY PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY1, 2
Country and form 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Australia, metal powder and oxide hydroxide3 4,722 4,859 4
4,981 5,419 5,150
Belgium, metal powder, oxide, hydroxide3, 5 3,187 4,200 5,415 5,850 6,306
p
brazil, metal 1,614 1,750 1,871 1,350 1,300
r r
Canada, metal, metal powder, oxide 6,038 5,994 5,602 5,491 4,072
e, 3, 6
China, metal, metal powder, oxide, salts 35,000 29,800 36,100 39,300 48,700
r r
Congo (Kinshasa), metal7 3,103 3,021 2,777 2,859 3,141
Finland, metal powder and salts8 10,627 10,562 10,798 12,551 9,615
France, chloride3 354 326 308 219 133
3
India, metal and salts 1,299 800 295 100 150
Japan, metal3 2,007 2,542 2,747 3,654 4,259
Madagascar, metal powder -- 493 2,083 2,915 3,464
Morocco, metal and oxide 1,788 1,314 1,353 1,391 1,722
Norway, metal9 3,067 2,969 3,348 3,600 r, e
3,100
3
Russia, metal 2,337 2,186 2,368 2,302 2,040
South africa, metal powder and sulfate 862 1,102 1,294 1,332 1,300
Uganda, metal3 661 556 376 -- --
Zambia, metal3 5,749 r, 10 5,669 r, 10 5,000 4,317 2,997
total 82,400 78,100 86,700 r 92,700 r 97,400
e
Estimated. pPreliminary. rRevised. -- Zero.
1
World totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2
Includes data available through May 24, 2017. Figures represent cobalt refined from ores, concentrates, or intermediate products and do not
include production of downstream products from refined cobalt.
3
Production reported by the Cobalt Development Institute, except as noted.
4
Production reported by the Cobalt Development Institute and Glencore International AG.
5
Production from n.v. Umicore s.a.; includes production from China that is not otherwise included in this table.
6
Production from domestic and imported ores, concentrates, and intermediate materials; excludes production by n.v. Umicore s.a. that is included
under belgium.
7
Does not include production of cobalt in alloys, carbonate, hydroxide, and other materials that would require further refining.
8
Production reported by the Geological Survey of Finland.
9
Data for 201112 reported by Xstrata plc; data for 201315 reported by the Geological Survey of Norway.
10
Data for 201112 include production reported by Zambian Chamber of Mines.

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2015 Minerals Yearbook

COBALT [ADVANCE RELEASE]

U.S. Department of the Interior September 2017

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.1

Consumption Foreign Trade

19.2 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.3

19.4 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.5

19.6 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.7

19.8 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.9

(Metric tons, cobalt content, unless otherwise specified)

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.11

(Metric tons, cobalt content)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

19.12 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Metal2 Oxides and hydroxides other forms3 total

brazil 80 80 2,300 14 10 144 84 25 1,070 r 178 115 3,520

Congo (Kinshasa) 20 20 568 166 120 4,210 -- -- -- 186 140 4,780

Germany 30 30 1,430 5 4 522 5 1 40 40 35 1,990

Madagascar 589 589 17,600 -- -- -- -- -- -- 589 589 17,600

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.13

Metal3 Oxides and hydroxides acetates Chlorides total

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

19.14 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

(Metric tons, cobalt content)

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.15

19.16 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.17

(Metric tons, cobalt content)

Country3 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015e

19.18 [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK2015

(Metric tons, cobalt content)

Country and form 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Cobalt2015 [ADVANCE RELEASE] 19.19

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