Context: The Democratic Republic of Congo has mandated cobalt miners to relinquish unused export quotas for the first half of the year to a government regulator, a move that could impact the global supply of the critical metal. This directive is likely aimed at ensuring that cobalt export quotas are utilized efficiently and that the government has better control over the industry. The move comes as Congo, the world's largest producer of cobalt, continues to scrutinize the activities of mining companies operating within its borders.