Key terms and definitions for cobalt supply chain compliance, responsible sourcing, and regulatory frameworks.
ASM (Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining)
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) refers to informal or semi-formal mining activities carried out by individual miners or small groups using basic equipment. In the DRC cobalt context, ASM accoun... Read more →
CoRAP (Cobalt Refiner Assessment Program)
The Responsible Minerals Initiative's Cobalt Refiner Assessment Program (CoRAP) is the primary third-party audit program for cobalt smelters and refiners. CoRAP-conformant refiners have undergone inde... Read more →
CRT (Cobalt Reporting Template)
The Cobalt Reporting Template (CRT) is an industry-standard tool developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) for collecting cobalt supply chain information from suppliers. It captures cobal... Read more →
HPAL (High-Pressure Acid Leach)
High-pressure acid leach (HPAL) is a hydrometallurgical process used to extract nickel and cobalt from laterite ores. HPAL is used at major cobalt operations including Murrin Murrin (Australia), Ambat... Read more →
MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate)
Mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) is an intermediate cobalt-nickel product produced by HPAL processing of laterite ores. MHP is a major traded form of cobalt, exported from Cuba, the Philippines, and ... Read more →
CAHRA (Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Area)
A conflict-affected and high-risk area (CAHRA) is a region identified by the OECD as presenting elevated risks of conflict financing, human rights abuses, and other adverse impacts in mineral supply c... Read more →
Battery Passport
A digital battery passport is a data carrier (QR code or RFID tag) attached to a battery that provides access to standardised information about the battery's composition, carbon footprint, supply chai... Read more →
Cobalt Sulfate
Cobalt sulfate (CoSO₄) is the primary battery-grade cobalt product used in cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing for lithium-ion batteries. It is produced by refining cobalt hydroxide or MHP and... Read more →