Commentary
Before California’s government imposed its zero-carbon by 2035 vehicle mandate, it first should have assured itself a secure market in cobalt. Otherwise, the main beneficiary will be the People’s Republic of China, which dominates the market in cobalt, a key mineral needed for batteries.
That’s the conclusion I draw from a new book, “Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives,” by Siddharth Kara. It details how 75 percent of the world’s cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the hideous human rights abuses of the miners who dig this red gold, and the PRC’s role in exploiting the resources while disregarding human rights….