Where is cobalt found and what is it used for?
It is widely used in cancer treatment, as a tracer and for radiotherapy. Cobalt is found in the minerals cobaltite, skutterudite and erythrite. Important ore deposits are found in DR Congo, Canada, Australia, Zambia and Brazil. Most cobalt is formed as a by-product of nickel refining.
Cobalt is commonly used in electroplating because of its appearance, hardness, and resistance to oxidation. Cobalt compounds have been used for centuries to create a rich blue color in glass, glazes, ceramics, porcelain, pottery, tiles, and enamels.
Pure cobalt does not occur on Earth, although cobalt-bearing minerals are common globally. Cobalt is often mined as a byproduct of nickel and copper. Cobalt is largely mined in Kinshasa (the Congo), but also in several other countries including China, Russia, and Canada.
Cobalt is used in many alloys (superalloys for parts in gas turbine aircrafr engines, corrosion resistant alloys, high-speed steels, cemented carbides), in magents and magnetic recording media, as catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries, as drying agents for paints and inks.
Cobalt is mined in several countries but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is by far the largest producer. However, as demand rises, mining in other countries including the US, Canada, and Australia is set to increase.
Cobalt compounds have been used for centuries to color porcelain, glass, pottery, tile and enamel. Some of these compounds are known as: cobalt blue, ceruleum, new blue, smalt, cobalt yellow and cobalt green.
On a global basis, the leading use of cobalt is in rechargeable battery electrodes. Superalloys, which are used to make parts for gas turbine engines, are another major use for cobalt.
It is used in nuclear weapons, alloys, and pigments. Deficiency in animals leads to anemia; its excess in humans can lead to erythrocytosis. Except for radioactive forms of cobalt and cobalamin, the FDA withdrew its approval for the use of drug products containing cobalt salts.
Cobalt is an essential mineral for the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, laptops and smart phones. It offers the highest energy density and is key for boosting battery life.
There are three basic ways that cobalt can cause poisoning. You can swallow it, breathe it into your lungs, or have it come in constant contact with your skin. Cobalt poisoning can also occur from the wear and tear of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip implants.
How much cobalt is in the world?
Global mine cobalt reserves by country in 2021, tonnes. Source: USGS, preliminary estimate. USGS added that identified world terrestrial cobalt resources are about 25 million tonnes.
According to one estimate, about 6.35 million square kilometres, or 1.7 per cent of the ocean floor, is covered by cobalt-rich crusts, translating to some 1 billion tonnes of cobalt.
Cobalt is an alternative metal that has gained popularity in contemporary jewelry design, from necklaces and bracelets to wedding rings. It is extremely durable, and has a natural white luster, comparable to white gold and platinum, which makes it a popular choice for men's and women's jewelry.
Skin exposure to nickel, cobalt, and chromium may cause sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis and it is known that many alloys and platings may release significant amounts of the metals upon contact with skin.
Cobalt is used in the cathode of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and, to a lesser degree, the anode of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries. There are five main types of lithium-ion batteries, three of which have cobalt-based cathode chemistry.
Cobalt is an important component of lithium ion batteries, like those in many electric vehicles. SALMON, Idaho — The first — and only — cobalt mine in America in decades opened Friday in Idaho amid rising demand for the unique metal, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and battery storage.
Metalkol RTR Project in Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was the largest cobalt-producing mine in the world, producing approximately 55,908 tonnes of cobalt and an estimated 4.78 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa) of Run-of-Mine (ROM) in 2021.
The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most lucrative and essential part of the DRC economy. It is their largest source of export income. The DRC accounted for more than two thirds of global cobalt production in 2021, making it the world's largest cobalt producer by a large margin.
Cobalt is an essential part of the lithium-ion batteries that give electric vehicles the range and durability needed by consumers. The majority of modern electric vehicles use these battery chemistries in lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) batteries which have a cathode containing 10-20% cobalt.
It is extremely stable and historically has been used as a coloring agent in ceramics (especially Chinese porcelain), jewelry, and paint. Transparent glasses are tinted with the silica-based cobalt pigment smalt.
What products are made from cobalt?
Cobalt is an essential raw material for superalloy, cemented carbide, diamond tool, batteries, anticorrosive and magnetic materials. It is widely applied in fields including aerospace, electronic appliances, machinery manufacturing, automobiles, chemical industry, agriculture, ceramics, etc.
Good food sources of cobalt include: fish. nuts. green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.
Other scientists reported the cobalt content in chocolate as 0.05 mg kg-1 (BIEGO et al.
The THQ of cobalt in cocoa products was 0.806 which enhanced the GTHQ to be 1.196 and thus cobalt contributing 34.08% to the HI explaining that the risk was mainly contributed by cobalt.
It also maintains the nervous system. Cobalt is in the body only as part of vitamin B-12. Cobalt has some of the same jobs as manganese and zinc. It can replace manganese in activating several enzymes.