Cobalt is subject to a wide number of regulations, policies and classifications which are applied at regional, national and global level
Hong Kong, 15-16 May 2019
Cobalt is a technology and energy metal with unique physical and chemical properties making it ideal for use in a wide range of metallic and chemical applications
Cobalt has been used to colour pottery and glass for at least 2600 years evidenced by cobalt-containing glazes having been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. Chinese pottery from Tang (600-900 AD) and Ming dynasties (1350-1650 AD) also contained blue colours made from cobalt-containing minerals
Cobalt is considered a Critical Raw Material, it is recognised as an important technology enabling metal where energy storage, high temperature resilience, hardness, process efficiency and environmental benefits are required
On 9 January 2019, the Cobalt Institute (CI) launched the Cobalt Industry Responsible Assessment Framework (CIRAF)
Cobalt’s properties which allow for increasing chip performance, could lead it to have a major place in the semiconductor manufacturing industry
Cobalt contributes greatly to the general quality of life for humans and for a sustainable future, its importance to rechargeable batteries, electronics, catalysts, alloys and healthcare has resulted in the metal being referred to as a technology enabling element
The President of the CI opened China International Ni&Co Industry Forum 2018 with a speech on the circular economy and the value of pursuing sustainability
January 2019
The CI is looking to develop a sustainability profile for cobalt which will outline the environmental effects and the socio-economic benefits, and highlight the “sustainability attributes” of cobalt substances used in various applications
Metalkol RTR is a major reprocessing plant for historic cobalt and copper tailings from previous mining operations in the Haut-Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
