Market outlook for cobalt

Cobalt is primarily mined as a by-product from the extraction of copper and nickel ores. Copper ores are the major source of cobalt, mainly from the DRC, Russia and Zambia, with primary cobalt mines making up a very small percentage. Further downstream, China has the world's largest cobalt refining capacity. Our evaluation of copper-cobalt mines in the DRC gives us a unique understanding of the potential outlook for cobalt supply going forward. This report investigates potential supply from Indonesia and when the supply chain can expect it to contribute towards meeting growing demand from EVs.

The report details market developments and is tailored to incorporate an individual client’s specific strategic requirements covering:

Cobalt demand impacts and new market threats:

• Macroeconomic developments on long-term supply-demand fundamentals and technology (global, US, EU and China).

• The impact of powertrain technology trends, specifically EV forecast risks including global powertrain evolution and electrification, automaker announcements and implications for commodities, EU CO₂ emission targets and opportunities for EVs, hybrid technology developments, China’s policies and the new energy vehicle market, and US market risks.

• Long-term battery technology shifts and electric vehicle powertrain developments and their impact on cobalt demand.

• A full review of cobalt used in lithium-ion batteries, including the growing popularity of NMC (and NCA) battery cathode chemistries.

• A quantification of the substitution by nickel going forward against the increasing uptake of electric cars and the fall-out for the cobalt market.

• The trade flow of cobalt concentrates worldwide and an assessment of China's position in the global supply chain.

• Upside and downside electric vehicle uptake scenarios illustrate the potential envelope of supply-demand, and therefore price possibilities in future.

• SFA's long-term research into PGMs requires us to undertake ongoing detailed modeling of the risks associated with future evolution of the battery raw materials supply chain. Therefore, the cobalt market report also includes reviews of loadings of cobalt by vehicle model and powertrain type, including the use of NiMH batteries in hybrid vehicles.

• Other cobalt end-uses, including battery types (NiCd and NiMH), are presented and quantified, along with a review of superalloy cobalt requirements and other industrial applications, both emerging and in decline.

• Supporting demand data to 2040 on cobalt demand by end-use and cobalt EV demand by region.

  
  
  

Cobalt supply and production economic impacts:

• Updates on the present and future long-term stability and growth of primary cobalt supply and by-product cobalt supply from nickel, supply response, reserves and resources, factors influencing cost inflation and exchange rate and volume impacts.

• Cobalt operations and projects in the DRC are examined in detail, highlighting the potential supply constraints and sociological challenges related to artisanal supply and political risks.

• Producer economics of cobalt supply.

• An overview of cobalt supply and processing methods is also provided along with reviews of copper and nickel mines.

• A review of highly probable and possible cobalt projects to 2040, including grade and volume analysis.

• Supporting supply data to 2040 on cobalt supply by region, producer and operation.

Cobalt recycling:

• The need for and current status of cobalt recycling is also discussed. The rapid rise in prices and concerns over future mine supplies of cobalt have led to a greater focus on its recycling and our report delves into the current status of the cobalt recycling industry, its major players and market developments.

Price forecasts and market scenarios:

• The report concludes with a range of cobalt supply-demand outlooks and price forecasts out to 2040 to highlight where potential pinch-points for the market might occur in future, including supply risks, electric vehicle scenarios, substitution and recycling potential.

Who should read this report?

• All industry stakeholders and new business entrants who need to keep abreast of the evolving influences on the cobalt market and prices, including end-users, mining companies and juniors. 

• Investors and financial institutions needing to understand and quantify the risks and opportunities in the industry, future costs of production and short- to long-term cobalt prices.

Live Q&A with the analysts

• Our report is supported by a video call, most often hosted through MS Teams, which is led by Beresford Clarke, along with our team of expert Battery Metals analysts, to run through the 2040 Cobalt Market Report, and address any further questions your team may have.