Cobalt ore is a naturally occurring mineral that contains cobalt, a valuable metal used in various applications, including batteries, alloys, and catalysts. The most common types of cobalt ores are cobaltite, erythrite, and skutterudite. These ores are typically mined from the earth and processed to extract cobalt for industrial use. Cobalt is primarily sourced from countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which holds a significant portion of the world's cobalt reserves. The extraction and processing of cobalt ore can have environmental impacts, making sustainable practices important in the mining industry.