Apple in Talks to Buy Cobalt Directly From Miners

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

Apple is in talks to purchase long-term supplies of cobalt directly from miners to ensure a steady supply of the key battery ingredient amid industry fears of a shortage. The iPhone maker is one of the world’s largest end users of cobalt for the batteries in its gadgets. Until now it has left the business of buying the metal to the companies that make its batteries. Now Apple has taken this into its own hands. 

[TraderTate + 186]

Great stuff for cobalt miners, just like Tesla buying lithium direct. But, the question is, who is it buying from? 

[Seleskya + 50]

Apple is under a fair amount of pressure not to source cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, so I'm wondering where it's going to come from, too. Especially when some 60% of the world's cobalt comes from DRC. 

[Rodent + 1,424]

and why are we not taking Cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo? Save me the Google search

[Selva + 252]

Apple did say it wouldn't let cobalt from Congo into its supply chain because of the inappropriate protection of human right in Congo's mines, but that was last year news. We'll see now if they're consistent with it or after all just looking to buy enough cobalt at a fair price. 

[Vlad Kovalenko + 115]

This could be a big move from Apple.  When you connect this brand directly to a problematic raw material, such as cobalt from Congo, it should bring more transparency on cobalt industry working conditions. 

[Adam Varga + 123]

You can only hope this means Apple will more tightly control human rights and environmental abuses related to the mining of cobalt. They need to push for more responsible mining.