UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I
Question 7: Geography
About three-fourths of world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces roughly 70 percent of the world's mined cobalt, mostly as a by-product of copper mining in the Katanga region. Cobalt is a key ingredient in many lithium-ion battery cathodes, which is why the DRC matters for electric vehicle supply chains. Argentina is known for lithium, Botswana for diamonds, and Kazakhstan for uranium and chromium.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Argentina is a lithium producer, not a leading cobalt source.
- (b) Botswana is known for diamonds.
- (c) Correct: the DRC mines about three-fourths of the world's cobalt.
- (d) Kazakhstan is known for uranium and chromium, not cobalt.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.