MAY 2025
Cobalt Institute
Global trade association promoting the sustainable and responsible use of cobalt in all forms
Director General Dinah McLeod reflects on the Cobalt Congress 2025 – Cobalt Institute’s flagship event bringing together industry leaders to discuss the future of cobalt.
Dear colleagues,
The 31st edition of the Cobalt Congress took place at a fascinating time for the cobalt industry, with growing demand for critical minerals and an increased geopolitical focus on securing critical mineral value chains, and in the backdrop of an export ban announced by the world’s largest producer of cobalt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
250 representatives of government, industry, media, and academia came together on 14-15 May in Singapore to discuss challenges and opportunities relating to the global cobalt industry. The event included high-level panels on the Congolese and Indonesian cobalt contexts, and attracted strong delegations from both the Congolese and Indonesian governments.
Keynote remarks from the DRC Minister of Mines and the Executive Secretary of the Indonesian National Economic Council generated a large amount of media attention. Combined with the exclusive networking opportunities on offer, this made the Cobalt Congress once again the defining event of the year for the cobalt industry.
This year’s edition once again highlighted cobalt’s essentiality to industrial growth, national security and a low carbon economy, and hence the need to build reliable and responsible cobalt value chains and to secure cobalt supply
I am proud that Cobalt Institute is a place where such strategic discussions happen.
Yours,
Dinah
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RESOURCES
Cobalt Congress: Conference Materials
Centred around the release of the highly anticipated 2024 Cobalt Market Report, Cobalt Congress speakers highlighted the expected future rise in the demand for cobalt, and the need for environmental and social standards to keep up with the market growth.
Check the Cobalt Congress materials that provide an overview of the keynote speeches and panels given at the 2025 Cobalt Congress.
SAVE THE DATE! COBALT CONGRESS 2026
12-13 May 2026, Madrid, Spain
Cobalt Market Report 2024: cobalt outlook remains positive despite sustained market weakness
Developed by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, our Annual Cobalt Market Report shows the latest trends and insights shaping the cobalt market. In 2024, the cobalt market demonstrated continued growth, driven by increased use of batteries for EVs and electronics, as well as superalloys for both defence and commercial aircraft segments. Ramped up cobalt supply cemented the market in structural oversupply, weighing on prices. The surplus seen in 2024 will shrink and shift to a deficit by early 2030s, triggering a call for cobalt, which means more investment is needed in the short-term to meet long-term demand trends.
#CobaltInsights
At a pivotal moment for global supply chains, we’re pleased to share exclusive insights from Hon. Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, Ministère des Mines - RDC for the Democratic Republic of the Congo - the world’s leading producer of cobalt.
In this short video, the Minister sets out the DRC’s vision: not just as a supplier of raw materials, but as a full partner in the value chain - driving local transformation, ethical sourcing and transparent, traceable supply.
Follow the #CobaltInsights campaign on LinkedIn or on YouTube to listen to the cobalt industry experts answering key questions about cobalt's role in sustainability, supply chains, human health, and the energy transition
EVENTS
Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2025 | 3 - 5 June, Jakarta, Indonesia
The Cobalt Institute’s Head of Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability, Susannah McLaren, and Senior Manager of Sustainability and Batteries, Tom Fairlie, will speak at the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2025. ICM series stands at the front of Indonesia and Southeast Asia market, providing a grand platform for global mining and downstream stakeholders.
Giga USA | 3 - 4 June, Washington, D.C., US
Cobalt Institute's Head of Government and Public Affairs, Mike Blakeney will speak at Giga USA. Across two days and multiple streams, discussions will explore the rise of USA's lithium ion battery gigafactory economy and the need to build secure, sustainable supply chains for lithium, nickel, graphite, cobalt, manganese, rare earths and other critical raw materials.
DRC Mining Week | 11 - 13 June, Lubumbashi, DRC
The Cobalt Institute’s Head of Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability, Susannah McLaren, will speak at the DRC Mining Week 2025 - the premier gathering where leading mining entities converge to unlock transformative opportunities in the sector. This exclusive platform serves as a vital tool for networking, exchanging ideas, and establishing partnerships among industry leaders.