The Democratic Republic of Congo will resume cobalt exports on October 16 under a new quota system aimed at managing global supply, the country’s strategic minerals regulator announced Sunday, Reuters reported. Miners can ship 18,125 tons for the remainder of 2025, with annual limits of 96,600 tons in 2026 and 2027. Cobalt is essential for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, phones, and laptops.DR Congo produced roughly 70% of global cobalt last year. Cobalt mining in DR Congo comes with severe human and environmental costs. Major tech companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla, have faced lawsuits for allegedly benefiting from cobalt sourced in the DRC.