Chapter 04 of 5
The Cobalt Triangle
The geopolitical and human cost of the green energy revolution.
- Supply Chain
The Silent Ingredient
While lithium gets the headlines, cobalt is the essential stabilizer of the lithium-ion battery. It prevents the cathode from overheating and ensures long-term durability.
- Geography
The DRC Monopoly
Over 70% of the world's cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This single point of failure creates a massive geopolitical bottleneck.
- The Human Cost
Artisanal Realities
Roughly 15% to 30% of Congolese cobalt is produced by 'artisanal' miners. These are often individuals, including children, digging by hand in hazardous conditions.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
Which country produces over 70% of the world's cobalt, creating a major geopolitical bottleneck?
🔋 The Battery Bottleneck
- 01The First SparksThe rise and fall of early electric mobility and lead-acid origins.
- 02The Lithium-Ion MiracleHow 1970s chemistry breakthroughs unlocked the portable revolution.
- 03Edge of VolatilityUnderstanding dendrites, thermal runaway, and the safety trade-offs.
- 04The Cobalt TriangleThe geopolitical and human cost of the green energy revolution.
- 05Beyond the Liquid CellSolid-state, sodium-ion, and the future of the global power grid.