About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by (a) Argentina (b) Botswana (c) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (d) Kazakhstan
- A. Argentina
- B. Botswana
- C. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- D. Kazakhstan
Answer: C
Explanation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is by far the world’s largest producer of cobalt. It accounts for approximately 70% of global cobalt production and holds a significant portion of the world’s known cobalt reserves. Cobalt is a critical mineral, especially important for the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. The concentration of cobalt production in the DRC raises geopolitical and ethical concerns regarding supply chains and mining practices. Argentina, Botswana, and Kazakhstan are not major cobalt producers on this scale.