Top 7 China Cobalt Mining Companies 2025
China controls 70%+ of global cobalt refining capacity, processing cobalt ore and intermediates primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Chinese cobalt companies have invested heavily in DRC copper-cobalt mines while developing domestic recycling capacity. Total refined cobalt output exceeds 150,000 tonnes annually.
TL;DR: China refines 70%+ of global cobalt with Huayou Cobalt leading DRC mining operations. CMOC Group expanded significantly through Tenke mine acquisition. Battery recycling growing as secondary cobalt source.
Top Companies
Huayou Cobalt (华友钴业)
RMB 60B+ revenueHuayou is China largest cobalt company, operating multiple copper-cobalt mines in DRC and processing cobalt sulfate and ternary precursors in China. The company produces 80kt+ cobalt products annually and is a major cathode material supplier for CATL and BYD.
CMOC Group (洛阳钼业)
Tenke Fungurume mineCMOC operates the Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine in DRC, one of the world largest cobalt mines. The company expanded cobalt output to 50kt+ annually and is developing the Kisanfu cobalt reserve, one of the largest undeveloped cobalt deposits globally.
GEM (格林美)
Battery recycling leaderGEM is China largest battery recycler, recovering cobalt, nickel, lithium and manganese from used batteries. The company processes 100kt+ of battery waste annually, producing battery-grade cobalt sulfate and reducing dependence on imported cobalt ore.
Great Wall Motor (蜂巢能源)
Vertical cobalt integrationSVOLT (GWM subsidiary) integrates cobalt sourcing with cathode material production for its LFP and ternary batteries. The company sources cobalt through its parent supply chain and develops low-cobalt and cobalt-free cathode chemistries.
Jinchuan Group (金川集团)
Nickel-cobalt miningJinchuan is China largest nickel producer and a significant cobalt byproduct producer from its nickel-copper sulfide mines in Gansu. The company produces 10kt+ cobalt annually as nickel refining byproduct.
Zhejiang Huayou
Cobalt chemical productsProduces cobalt sulfate, cobalt chloride, and cobalt tetroxide for battery and superalloy applications. The company operates cobalt refineries linked to DRC mine supply through Huayou Cobalt parent company.
BRUNP Recycling (邦普循环)
CATL recycling armBRUNP, CATL battery recycling subsidiary, recovers cobalt from spent batteries at scale. The company operates multiple recycling facilities across China with 50kt+ cobalt recovery capacity annually, creating closed-loop battery material supply.
Comparison Table
| Company | Cobalt Source | Annual Output | Key Products | Supply Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huayou | DRC mines | 80kt+ | Sulfate, precursor | Mine to cathode |
| CMOC | DRC Tenke | 50kt+ | Cobalt metal | Mine to refinery |
| GEM | Recycled batteries | 15kt+ | Cobalt sulfate | Closed-loop |
| Jinchuan | Nickel byproduct | 10kt+ | Cobalt metal | Nickel-copper mining |
| BRUNP | Recycled batteries | 50kt+ | Cathode precursors | CATL supply chain |
| Great Wall/SVOLT | Imported | Integrated | Cathode materials | Vertical integration |
| Zhejiang Huayou | DRC imported | 20kt+ | Cobalt chemicals | Refining |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cobalt does China import?
China imports over 100kt of cobalt raw materials annually, primarily from DRC (80%+) as cobalt ore, intermediates (hydroxide), and refined metal. Despite operating DRC mines through Chinese companies, cobalt raw material flows through international trade channels. China also imports cobalt scrap and battery waste for recycling.
Is China reducing cobalt dependency?
Yes, Chinese battery makers are actively reducing cobalt content in cathodes. CATL cell-to-pack LFP batteries contain zero cobalt, while ternary batteries shifted from NCM523 to NCM811 (80% nickel, 10% cobalt) and now to NCM9.5.5 (95% nickel, 5% cobalt). Sodium-ion batteries developed by CATL and HiNa Battery eliminate cobalt entirely for certain applications.
What are ESG concerns with DRC cobalt?
DRC cobalt mining faces serious ESG concerns including child labor, unsafe artisanal mining conditions, and environmental contamination. Chinese companies operating in DRC have implemented responsible sourcing programs and traceability systems to address these concerns. The OECD due diligence framework and EU battery regulation require supply chain transparency for cobalt used in EV batteries.
How is China reducing cobalt supply chain risks?
China is investing in cobalt recycling from spent lithium batteries, with companies like GEM and Brunp Recycling achieving over 95% cobalt recovery rates. Domestic battery recycling is projected to supply 25% of China's cobalt demand by 2030, reducing dependence on imported raw cobalt.
What role do Chinese companies play in DRC cobalt mining?
Chinese firms including CMOC, Huayou Cobalt, and Zijin Mining operate major cobalt mines in the DRC, collectively controlling over 60% of the country's cobalt output. These companies have invested in local processing facilities to export refined cobalt products rather than raw ore.