Channel Seven Spotlight Misstates Cobalt Mining Facts
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- US Geological Survey reports about 90% of Congo’s 2020 cobalt output came from industrial mining, not the artisanal pits highlighted in the report.
- Prof Neeraj Sharma of UNSW says roughly half of EV batteries and 90% of home and grid‑scale batteries now use cobalt‑free lithium‑iron‑phosphate technology.
- Seven spokesperson claims up to 30% of Congo’s cobalt is artisanal, a figure that conflicts with the 90% industrial share cited by the USGS.
- Liam Bartlett linked every battery to the DRC mines, yet industry data shows only about a third of global cobalt is used in laptops and smartphones, with many other applications.
- Australia is investing billions in renewable energy and battery storage, a sector now facing reputational risk from the Spotlight narrative.
Why it matters: Australian battery makers risk losing $2 bn in investment as the mis‑portrayed cobalt story fuels consumer backlash, while miners see a potential shift toward industrial sourcing that could tighten supply chains.
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