Study on Cobalt Resource Endowment and Its Industry Chain in Northwestern China

Cobalt is a global strategic critical mineral resource, which is of great strategic significance to the national economy, national security, and technological development. More than 98% of cobalt raw materials rely deeply on imports due to its scarcity in China, which brings major security risks to the supply of national strategic key mineral resources. Accordingly, it is urgent to strengthen the study of cobalt metallogenic regularity and to identify the new resource supply areas. Favorable cobalt resource endowment is recognized in Northwest China, possessing well ore-forming geological conditions and resource potential, exhibiting promising exploration prospects. Nevertheless, the development characteristics, occurrence state, enrichment mechanism, and metallogenic potential of different types of cobalt deposits remain unclear. Also, the lack of targeted prospecting models and efficient exploration techniques greatly hinders the discovery of new cobalt resources. Based on a comprehensive review encompassing the geological distribution, metallogenic characteristics, ore-controlling conditions, prospecting indicators as well as industrial chain and supply chain security considerations related to cobalt resources in Northwest China, this paper summarizes the cobalt resource endowment and proposes further prospecting target and exploration focus in this region. The research aims to uncover metallogenic potential and identify new prospecting targets for cobalt resources, support strategic mineral prospecting operations, lead the new discovery of cobalt resources, and enhance the capacity of safe supply and guarantee capability of cobalt resources.