Explained in plain English
Will my phone cost more?
Congo produces most of the world's cobalt, a key metal in lithium-ion batteries for phones, laptops, and electric cars. This ban aims to make Congo process more of its own minerals, which could lead to higher prices for refined cobalt globally. If so, devices using these batteries might become slightly more expensive for you.
Stories that explain this
Congo bans copper and cobalt concentrate exports immediatelyThis explainer came from a news story
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