Lithium-rich countries, including Zimbabwe and Namibia, are trying to develop processing and refining industries.

Speculation has grown that Canada's Patriot Battery Metals may be an acquisition target.

Automakers have been stepping up efforts to lock in supplies of nickel and copper.

Anglo will provide technology expertise to the Crawford project in Ontario.

Production of the battery material in the Southeast Asian country surged past others including Russia and Australia.

Company increased its forecasts for full-year net profit and dividend thanks to stronger-than-expected prices of nickel, copper and gold.

Microsoft executives visited an artisanal cobalt mine in Democratic Republic of Congo in December.

“The goal is to discover new deposits that can be the subject of calls for bids, with a view to concluding mutually profitable public-private partnerships,” Felix Tshisekedi said.