Cobalt ores and concentrates
HS v2022 Code: 2605
About cobalt ores and concentrates
HS code 2605 covers cobalt ores and concentrates, a critical raw material for the production of various industrial and technological products. Cobalt is a strategic metal with diverse applications, from rechargeable batteries and superalloys to catalysts and pigments. As a key component in the manufacturing of many high-tech devices, the global demand for cobalt has been steadily increasing, making this industry an important part of the broader mining and metals sector.
Production process
Cobalt ores and concentrates are typically extracted through mining operations, either from primary cobalt deposits or as a by-product of other metal mining, such as copper or nickel. The main production techniques involve mineral processing methods like crushing, grinding, and flotation to separate and concentrate the cobalt-bearing minerals from the ore. Smelting and refining processes are then used to extract and purify the cobalt metal from the concentrated ores.
Production inputs
The key inputs for the cobalt ore and concentrate industry include the raw cobalt-bearing ores, which are mined from geological deposits. Additionally, the production process requires various mining and mineral processing equipment, such as crushers, mills, flotation cells, and smelting furnaces. Energy sources, such as electricity and fuel, are also essential inputs for the energy-intensive mining and refining operations.
Production outputs
The primary output of the cobalt ore and concentrate industry is refined cobalt metal, which is then used as a key ingredient in the manufacture of 8507 Lithium-ion batteries, 8112 Cobalt alloys and superalloys, and 3815 Catalysts. The cobalt-bearing ores and concentrates may also be further processed to produce cobalt chemicals, such as cobalt salts and compounds, which find applications in various industries, including 2849 Carbides and 2822 Cobalt oxides and hydroxides.
Family tree for cobalt ores and concentrates
graph LR
A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/26'>26: Ores, slag and ash</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2605'>2605: Cobalt ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2601'>2601: Iron ores and concentrates; including roasted iron pyrites</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2602'>2602: Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2603'>2603: Copper ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2604'>2604: Nickel ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2606'>2606: Aluminium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2607'>2607: Lead ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2608'>2608: Zinc ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2609'>2609: Tin ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2610'>2610: Chromium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2611'>2611: Tungsten ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2612'>2612: Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2613'>2613: Molybdenum ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2614'>2614: Titanium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2615'>2615: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2616'>2616: Precious metal ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2617'>2617: Ores and concentrates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2601</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2618'>2618: Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2619'>2619: Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2620'>2620: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds</a>"]
A --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2621'>2621: Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) and ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste</a>"]
B --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/260500'>260500: Cobalt ores and concentrates</a>"]
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