UPSC Prelims 2023 Q7: Geography – World Geography
- (a) Argentina
- (b) Botswana
- (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- (d) Kazakhstan
Answer: (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Explanation
Cobalt Production — Global Leader
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) produces approximately 70–75% of the world's cobalt.
| Country | Cobalt Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DRC | ~70–75% | Katanga province = world's cobalt heartland |
| Russia | ~4–5% | Second producer |
| Australia | ~3–4% | Third producer |
| Philippines | ~3% | Fourth producer |
Why DRC matters for EVs:
- Cobalt is essential for lithium-ion batteries (NMC cathodes) used in electric vehicles
- DRC's dominance creates a supply chain vulnerability for global EV manufacturers
- This has sparked interest in cobalt-free batteries (LFP cathodes)
Other options:
- Argentina: Major lithium producer, not cobalt
- Botswana: Major diamond and copper producer
- Kazakhstan: Major uranium and chromium producer
Answer: (c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Argentina is the world's third-largest lithium producer (for EV batteries), not cobalt.
- (b) Incorrect. Botswana is known for diamonds (world's second-largest producer) and copper, not cobalt.
- (c) CORRECT. DRC produces approximately 70–75% of global cobalt supply, primarily from its Katanga copper belt region.
- (d) Incorrect. Kazakhstan is a major uranium, chromium, and copper producer — not a significant cobalt source.
Key point
DRC = ~70–75% of world's cobalt production. Cobalt is critical for EV lithium-ion batteries. DRC's dominance in cobalt is a major global supply chain concern for the electric vehicle industry.
Remember
The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces approximately three-fourths (70–75%) of the world's cobalt, which is essential for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Argentina with DRC — Argentina is the lithium producer, DRC is the cobalt producer; both are critical for EV batteries but different minerals.
- Not knowing the specific geography of DRC's mining — the Katanga province (now split into Haut-Katanga) is the cobalt mining heartland.
- Underestimating DRC's share — it's not just a plurality but approximately three-quarters of global cobalt.
Exam tip
EV battery minerals: Lithium → Australia/Chile/Argentina. Cobalt → DRC (70%+). Nickel → Indonesia/Philippines. DRC = cobalt. Argentina = lithium. Easy to mix up — both are EV-related.
Sources
- US Geological Survey (USGS) — Mineral Commodity Summaries: Cobalt
- IEA — The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions