Cobalt
Which countries have cobalt reserves? 11 countries in the Magna Factbook list cobalt among their natural resources, ranked and linked.
Last updated: October 2026
11 countries list cobalt among their natural resources. China — scored 88.03/100 by the Bureau — is the highest-ranked holder, ahead of Kazakhstan, Philippines. Control of cobalt is geopolitical leverage: whoever holds the resource weighs on supply chains.
| # | Country | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 88.03/100 |
| 2 | Kazakhstan | 62.95/100 |
| 3 | Philippines | 59.17/100 |
| 4 | Nepal | 50.68/100 |
| 5 | Cuba | 49.96/100 |
| 6 | Côte d'Ivoire | 45.8/100 |
| 7 | DRC | 41.48/100 |
| 8 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 39.34/100 |
| 9 | Zambia | 30.26/100 |
| 10 | Uganda | 27.67/100 |
| 11 | Burundi | 8.89/100 |
Cobalt is used for rechargeable batteries, superalloys, magnets, and catalysts.
Among countries tracked by the Bureau, China is the highest-ranked holder of cobalt, with a power score of 88.03/100. The ranking reflects national power, not just production volume — it shows who has leverage, not just who has deposits.
The Bureau does not publish a specific percentage for China's control of cobalt. What the data shows is that China is ranked #1 among the 11 countries that list cobalt among their natural resources, with a power score of 88.03/100.
Cobalt is a natural resource tracked by the Bureau. 11 countries list cobalt among their natural resources. China — scored 88.03/100 by the Bureau — is the highest-ranked holder. Control of cobalt is geopolitical leverage: whoever holds the resource weighs on the supply chains that depend on it.
Which countries hold cobalt?
11 countries list cobalt among their natural resources. The page ranks each by its national power score, with a link to its full country profile.
Which country holds the most cobalt?
China is the highest-ranked holder, with a power score of 88.03/100. The ranking reflects national power, not just reserves — it shows who has leverage, not just who has deposits.
Why is cobalt geopolitically important?
Control of cobalt is geopolitical leverage: whoever holds the resource weighs on the supply chains that depend on it. The Bureau's mineral pages show who holds what, ranked by national power.