Cobalt processing

A brief history of cobalt is similar to other minerals needed for EV’s and other products. The US needs 8,000 tons of cobalt each year and has only one mine in operation in Michigan which is set to close in four years. The 300 tons of ore that is mined each year must be sent to China or Brazil for processing. The major source of cobalt is mined in Africa, often times using children. Some of the ore is processed in Africa but most is to China for refining and processing where there are few environmental rules. The processing in both Africa and China is contaminating ground water and air often times creating toxic heavy metals that leach into the water and soil causing extensive degradation and health crises.