Question 58 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Geography

Question

About three-fourths of the world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Strategy: - Focus on the link between cobalt production and electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing.
- Recognize the global cobalt supply's high concentration, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- Eliminate options like Argentina, Botswana, and Kazakhstan, as they are not major cobalt producers.
- Select the DRC based on consistent international mineral reports.

Key Info: Cobalt is a strategic metal essential for lithium-ion battery cathodes, powering electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the globally recognized leading source, supplying approximately 70% of the world's output. Its reserves, particularly in the Katanga Copperbelt region, are among the largest worldwide.

While central to the global supply chain, cobalt mining in the DRC faces scrutiny for human rights issues and artisanal mining practices. Other notable producers--such as Russia, Australia, Canada, and China--account for a significantly smaller collective share. Countries like Argentina, Botswana, and Kazakhstan have negligible or no significant cobalt production.

Control over cobalt resources is strategically crucial for nations transitioning to renewable energy and electrified transport. The metal's prices and supply chains are sensitive to geopolitical and ethical considerations.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Argentina

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Botswana

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Kazakhstan