About CobaltDRC
CobaltDRC is an independent intelligence platform published by The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG, a Swiss-registered research and advisory firm headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.
Our editorial mission is to provide rigorous, data-driven analysis of the cobalt mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo — the single most consequential jurisdiction in the global battery metals supply chain. The DRC accounts for approximately 74% of global cobalt production, making it indispensable to the electric vehicle revolution, consumer electronics manufacturing, and the broader energy transition.
Editorial Focus
Our coverage spans five core domains:
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) — We track the evolving dynamics of artisanal cobalt extraction in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces, including formalization efforts, cooperative structures, and the persistent challenges of occupational safety and child labor eradication.
Industrial Operations — Deep analysis of the major mining houses operating in the Copperbelt: Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining, CMOC Group’s Tenke Fungurume complex, Chemaf, and the expanding footprint of Chinese-owned processing facilities.
EV Battery Supply Chain — From mine to cathode to cell, we map the entire cobalt value chain with particular attention to offtake agreements, hydroxide pricing, and the strategic competition between NMC and LFP battery chemistries.
Resource Governance — Critical assessment of the DRC mining code, royalty structures, state-owned Gécamines’ joint venture portfolio, transparency initiatives (EITI compliance), and the geopolitical dimensions of critical mineral diplomacy.
Human Rights and Due Diligence — Monitoring compliance with OECD due diligence guidance, the EU Battery Regulation, conflict mineral legislation, and corporate responsibility frameworks across the cobalt supply chain.
Research Standards
All analysis published on CobaltDRC is based on primary source materials including corporate filings, government gazettes, geological survey data, satellite imagery analysis, and field reporting from Katanga province. We cross-reference industry data from the Cobalt Institute, USGS, BGS, and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Our editorial team includes analysts with direct experience in Central African mining jurisdictions, battery materials markets, ESG compliance, and international development policy.
Publisher
The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG is a Swiss association registered in the Canton of Zug. Our portfolio of intelligence platforms covers commodities, finance, blockchain technology, and geopolitical risk across emerging and frontier markets.
For editorial inquiries, corrections, or research partnerships, please visit our contact page.