IAS Prelims Geography Q.6 – 2023 | Mineral Resources: Cobalt
Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📍 The Question
About three-fourths of the world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by:
(a) Argentina
(b) Botswana
(c) The Democratic Republic of the Congo
(d) Kazakhstan
Correct Answer: (c) The Democratic Republic of the Congo
🎯 Theme of the Question
Economic Geography | Mineral Resources | Energy Transition | Strategic Minerals
This question tests awareness of critical minerals central to the global energy transition, especially electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
🧠 Classroom Explanation
Cobalt has become a strategic metal due to its crucial role in:
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Electric vehicles
- Energy storage systems
- Electronics
🌍 Global Production Pattern
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
- Holds around half of the world’s known cobalt reserves
- Accounts for ~70% (about three-fourths) of global cobalt production
- Cobalt mining in DRC is largely concentrated in the Katanga Copper Belt
✔️ This makes DRC the dominant global producer
❌ Why other options are incorrect
- Argentina ❌
- Known for lithium, not cobalt dominance
- Botswana ❌
- Major diamond producer
- Kazakhstan ❌
- Important for uranium and other metals, not cobalt leadership
📊 Final Assessment
| Country | Share in global cobalt production |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Negligible |
| Botswana | Negligible |
| DRC | ~70% (largest) |
| Kazakhstan | Minor |
👉 Correct answer: (c)
❌ UPSC Elimination Logic
- UPSC expects linkage between:
- Electric vehicles
- Critical minerals
- Geopolitical concentration
- Cobalt is one of the most geographically concentrated minerals
🧩 Memory Hook
“EV batteries run on cobalt — and cobalt runs through Congo.”
🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight
For energy-transition minerals:
- Lithium → Argentina, Bolivia, Chile
- Cobalt → DRC
- Rare earths → China
Fix these anchors firmly.
🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
The future of clean energy depends on a few quiet mines beneath the equator.