United States of America
Cobalt is a critical mineral for the United States, as designated by US Code and Department of Defense regulations, due to its fundamental role in defense applications – from aerospace, semiconductor-based electronics and naval applications, to stabilizing nuclear reactors, engine turbines, avionics, sensors, and magnets.
Cobalt has broad uses for a variety of mobility applications that enable the modern American lifestyle. Starting as a catalyst in the oil and gas sector to the batteries we use to our most precious electronic devices – cobalt is used to make these products safe and secure.
Despite cobalt being so useful across all these vital core sectors of the economy – in aerospace, healthcare, technology and consumer electronics – none of these require vast quantities of cobalt. The mineral is incredibly versatile, and is used in a wide range of compounds and formulas that are produced by small manufacturers and producers.
Investing in the development of these companies presents real opportunities as uses and applications grow over the next several decades. Cobalt will continue to be indispensable for the performance of technology.
The US does not currently have any significant operational cobalt mines, nor any domestic refining capacity for cobalt, so domestic supply must be promoted. However, given its current capacities a realistic policy should take into account the constraints involved – including the time required to build a resilient domestic cobalt supply chain. The Cobalt Institute and its members comprise the investors and experts the US needs if it wants to grow its domestic industry and diversify internationally.
By creating a competitive environment for the cobalt industry, the US will create more jobs and stimulate growth as the demand for cobalt increases.
Read the report from the Wilson Center on how to Achieve Resilient Cobalt Supply Chains
Overview of cobalt sources from the US