Summary of Cobalt Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is implementing a cobalt export quota system to strengthen resource sovereignty, which is expected to systematically increase the market value of cobalt [2][3] - The DRC government has extended the cobalt export ban until October 15, 2025, and plans to implement the export quota system thereafter, marking a shift from a surplus to a shortage cycle in the cobalt market [3] Key Points Cobalt Supply and Demand - The announced export quota for 2026 is insufficient to meet 70%-80% of the production capacity needs of Chinese cobalt companies, which consume over 30,000 tons annually [4][5] - China's total cobalt consumption is approximately 110,000 tons, with an additional export demand of around 20,000 tons, leading to a total demand of 170,000 tons [4] - Cobalt prices have surged from $5.4 per pound at the end of last year to $15.5-$16 per pound, nearly tripling, which has driven up the prices of cobalt sulfate and metal cobalt significantly [4][11] Regulatory Changes - The DRC government may impose regulatory and prepayment fees, and 27 out of 33 cobalt mining companies will need export licenses to obtain quotas [6] - Quotas will be adjusted quarterly to address market imbalances, with a higher likelihood of supply shortages rather than smuggling [6][10] Local vs. Foreign Companies - Local Congolese companies have received special permits for small-scale mining and processing into end products, with specific policies to be announced [8] - The DRC government is balancing local and foreign interests, indicating a potential shift in how resources are allocated [8] Transportation and Logistics - The transportation cycle from the DRC to China takes 90-120 days, meaning any relief from supply pressures will not be felt until early next year, even if quotas are approved [7] Market Dynamics - The cobalt industry is currently experiencing a global raw material supply tightness, with the DRC's official production last year reported at 198,000 tons, but actual production likely exceeding 220,000 tons [11] - The high prices of cobalt materials may impact the consumption of ternary materials in batteries, as insufficient cobalt content can severely affect battery performance [12] Future Outlook - Cobalt prices are expected to fluctuate between 350,000 to 400,000 yuan in the next three months due to ongoing supply shortages [24] - The geopolitical landscape and technological advancements will further complicate the competition between the DRC and other cobalt sources [24] Recycling and Recovery - China recycles approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tons of cobalt annually, which provides some supply relief, but the high cost of recycled products limits their overall impact on demand [28][29] Conclusion - The DRC's new export quota system and regulatory changes are set to create significant shifts in the cobalt market, particularly affecting supply dynamics for Chinese companies. The ongoing high prices and potential supply shortages will likely continue to influence the industry in the near future.

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of an export quota system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) starting October 16, 2025, is expected to stabilize cobalt prices in the long term, positively impacting the company's performance [1] Group 1: Company Impact - The company is closely monitoring the distribution details of the export quota and is actively communicating with local regulatory authorities [1] - The company currently holds a safe inventory of cobalt raw materials, which positions it well for future operations [1] - If the company secures the necessary export quotas following the lifting of the cobalt export ban, combined with its capacity expansion and stable cobalt prices, it is likely to provide reliable support for overall performance [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The DRC's shift from a cobalt ban to an export quota system is a significant change that could influence the global cobalt market dynamics [1] - The future performance of the cobalt market will depend on the specific implementation details of the quota system [1]

Core Viewpoint - Cobalt raw material prices are on the rise, with smelters purchasing only as needed due to high prices of cobalt intermediates, leading some companies to switch to cobalt salts, which are currently in tight supply [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The Congolese government has extended the export ban on cobalt for three months starting from June 22, significantly impacting the market supply [1] - In July, China imported 13,800 tons of cobalt wet-process intermediate products, with expectations of a continued decline in subsequent months, further reducing smelters' raw material inventories [1] - The impending expiration of the three-month extension of the Congolese ban may lead to policy adjustments, including potential extensions or export quotas, reinforcing supply issues [1] Group 2: Demand and Pricing Outlook - The demand remains relatively strong during the consumption peak season, while supply tightness is expected to keep prices robust [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that Tengyuan Cobalt Industry has sufficient safety stock to mitigate the impact of the extended cobalt export ban in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ensuring normal production operations in the short term [1] - The company indicated that it can purchase a certain amount of cobalt raw materials through traders, suggesting that the pressure on raw materials is not particularly significant [1] - Secondary resources are an important part of the company's strategic development, and it has established good and close channel cooperation to secure a certain share as a supplement [1] Group 2 - The company will closely monitor the developments of the situation and prepare accordingly [1]

Summary of Cobalt Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference focused on the cobalt industry, particularly the impact of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) extending its cobalt export ban for an additional three months starting June 22, 2025, to manage high cobalt inventory levels in China [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments - **Cobalt Price Dynamics**: The initial export ban led to a nearly 100% increase in cobalt raw material prices, rising from $5.6 per pound to over $12 per pound, while metal cobalt prices increased approximately 50%, from $10 to $15.2 per pound [2]. - **Impact on Chinese Companies**: Despite an increase in cobalt raw material imports in the four months prior to the ban, Chinese companies are expected to face raw material shortages post-July, potentially leading to production halts in small to medium enterprises and reduced capacity in larger firms [1][2]. - **Future Price Trends**: Cobalt prices are anticipated to experience two phases: short-term fluctuations due to DRC policies and potential price increases from late July to mid-August due to insufficient raw material inventories [4]. - **Supply and Demand Outlook**: Current supply growth outpaces demand growth, indicating that the fundamental supply-demand balance will not change significantly in the short term [4][5]. - **Inventory Levels**: The industry currently holds approximately 70,000 to 80,000 tons of inventory, with about 50% allocated to raw materials. If prices on the Wuxi electronic market rise to 240,000-250,000 RMB, profit-taking may occur, impacting project timelines [7][8]. Additional Important Insights - **Cobalt Export Quota**: The DRC's monthly export quota of 10,000 tons is deemed insufficient for maintaining supply-demand balance, with recommendations to increase it to 12,000-13,000 tons or supplement with Indonesian MHP [2][13]. - **Downstream Impact**: Rising prices of ternary materials will negatively affect downstream industries, particularly in low-nickel production, limiting growth potential in lower-end vehicle applications [12]. - **Future Production from Indonesia**: Indonesia's MHP production is projected to exceed 40,000 tons in 2025 and could reach 80,000-90,000 tons by 2027, which may help alleviate supply constraints [15]. - **Electric Vehicle Battery Costs**: The rising costs of cobalt resources may lead to increased production costs for electric vehicles, particularly affecting the adoption of ternary lithium batteries in mid to high-end vehicles [10][22]. Conclusion - The DRC's extended export ban on cobalt is a significant factor influencing the cobalt market, with potential implications for pricing, supply chain dynamics, and production capacities in China and beyond. The industry must navigate these challenges while adapting to changing market conditions and inventory levels.