Salient Cobalt Statistics

TABLE 1
SALIENT COBALT STATISTICS¹

(Metric tons, cobalt content, unless otherwise specified)

		2001		2002		2003		2004		2005
United States:
Consumption:
Reported		9,540		7,880		7,590		8,450		8,430
Apparent		11,800		9,830		10,000		9,920		11,900
Imports for consumption		9,410		8,450		8,080		8,720		11,100
Exports		3,210		2,080		2,710		2,500		2,440
Stocks, December 31:
Industry²		809		858		649		719		664
U.S. Government³		7,200	^e	6,680		4,290		2,660		1,550
Price, metal⁴	dollars per pound	10.55		6.91		10.60		23.93		15.96
World, production:^e
Mine		44,800	^r	50,600	^r	50,800	^r	57,100	^r	57,900
Refinery		38,700	^r	40,800	^r	43,800		49,100		54,900
^eEstimated. ^rRevised.
¹Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except prices.
²Stocks held by cobalt processors and consumers.
³Defense National Stockpile Center. Includes material committed for sale pending shipment.
⁴Annual average U.S. spot price for minimum 99.8% cobalt cathode reported by Platts Metals Week.