At the Cobalt Congress held from May 13 to 14 in New York, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation with some of the world’s largest cobalt reserves, played a key role in discussions.
Representatives from major cobalt-producing countries gathered to explore feasibility studies for securing and developing the electric vehicle value chain.
Representing the DRC at this significant international event, which marked the 30th anniversary of the Cobalt Institute, was the Director General of the Mining Cadastre.
He emphasized that the congress facilitated strategic discussions on advancing the electric vehicle value chain.
“This event provided us, the cobalt-producing countries, with an opportunity to review feasibility studies focused on ensuring the security and sustainability of this sector.
For the DRC, as the world’s leading producer of cobalt, this meeting is of immense strategic importance. We have a pivotal role in the sustainable development of the electric vehicle value chain,” he stated.
The discussions at the Cobalt Congress introduced promising initiatives to bolster the DRC’s position in this rapidly growing sector, while ensuring that local populations benefit from the economic advantages.
Participants also examined the role of the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), a coalition of 14 countries and the European Union.
This mechanism aims to catalyze public and private investments in responsible supply chains for critical minerals like cobalt.
The MSP promotes high standards in environmental, social, governance, and labor practices to enhance the diversification and resilience of these sectors.
The congress concluded with the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the United States, the DRC, and Zambia.
This agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation in further developing the cobalt value chain, an essential component for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries.
