§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what exact proportion of the worlds cobalt has been hitherto produced in the Kolwezi area; and where the alternative supplies are located.
§ Mr. Cryer,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th June 1978; Vol. 952, c. 145–6] gave the following information:
Zaire's production of cobalt in 1977, nearly all of which came from Kolwezi, represented 47 per cent. of the world total.
317WThe main cobalt producing countries with known reserves are as follows:
Country Reserves (tonnes contained Cobalt) Zaire 450,000 New Caledonia 270,000 USSR 210,000 Philippines 190,000 Cuba 110,000 Zambia 110,000 Australia 50,000 Canada 30,000 Botswana 27,000 Finland 19,000 Morocco 14,000 Total 1,500,000