Cobaltite is not typically mined as a standalone mineral commodity; instead, it forms part of cobalt-bearing sulfide ore bodies, and production is tracked at the level of cobalt concentrates and refined cobalt. Global cobalt output has expanded significantly over the last decade, largely due to battery demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) dominates primary mine supply, while China leads refining and intermediate production. Sulfide ores containing cobaltite are important in some African, Canadian, and Russian deposits, feeding concentrators that produce mixed cobalt-nickel sulfide intermediates.