Cobalt Faces Short-Term Supply Test as DRC Quota Deadlines Meet Execution Delays and Weak Demand
A potential easing of cobalt supply pressures emerged in early April 2026 as the Democratic Republic of Congo enforced tight deadlines on unused export quotas. Miners must ship remaining Q4 2025 volumes (originally 18,125 tonnes) by April 30, 2026, or forfeit them to the national strategic reserve, while Q1 2026 quotas extend to June 30.
A potential easing of cobalt supply pressures emerged in early April 2026 as the Democratic Republic of Congo enforced tight deadlines on unused export quotas. Miners must ship remaining Q4 2025 volumes (originally 18,125 tonnes) by April 30, 2026, or forfeit them to the national strategic reserve, while Q1 2026 quotas extend to June 30.
A narrow window of potential supply relief opened for cobalt in early April 2026. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s extended export deadlines created expectations of a short-term influx from …
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