A global cobalt shortage is expected to persist through the end of this decade as export restrictions from top producer Democratic Republic of Congo impact the supply chain, according to trading house Darton Commodities. Shipments of the battery metal from Congo slid last year after the government first banned exports in February and then introduced strict quotas from October. The nation, which typically accounts for more than 70% of global supply of the battery metal, introduced the measures to curb a glut and boost prices. Benchmark prices of the material, which is also used in the aerospace and defense industries, ... (full story)