Panasonic Cuts Ties With Supplier Over Cuban Cobalt Fears

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

Panasonic suspends supplier after failing to determine how much of the cobalt used in Tesla batteries comes from Cuba, following concerns that the use could be in breach of U.S. sanctions on the country. The company said the suspension of ties was a precautionary measure following guidance from the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control over the scope of the US ban on Cuban-origin imports, which dates back to 1960. 

Edited July 24, 2018 by Vlad Kovalenko

[BlackTortoise + 103]

For its part, Tesla reiterated its goal "to achieve close to zero usage of cobalt in the near future." Comes as tech companies are under increased pressure to prove that the cobalt they use is ethically sourced, meaning not mined by children or causing major environmental damage. 
 

[Adam Varga + 123]

There is a huge issue with cobalt and how and where it is mined. Demand far outstrips supply. This goes beyond Tesla.