scramble for cobalt in europe There is no doubt the big companies that need lithium-cobalt batteries need cobalt. And, they cant depend (ethically nor stability wise) on getting it from Congo.
This is an interesting article below that shows how one big company is trying to deal with the cobalt shortages outside of Congo.
EVX just doesnt have a concept (i.e. a deposit)......it seems they have an actual mine. How quickly and at what type of economics they can restart this mine is the question but having a mine versus a concept is a big headstart on many.
Interesting to note that one of the EVX directors (Fred Sveison) is also a director of First Vanadium - a company on a tear due to their battery metals situation (FVAN is the sybmol on TSXVenture).
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-basf-se-norilsknickel-batteries/basf-and-nornickel-join-forces-in-european-ev-battery-push-idUSKCN1MW14H