Last week, spot prices for cobalt intermediates continued their upward trend, stabilizing toward the weekend as market sentiment softened. Currently, the export approval process for cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is progressing slowly, and the October quota volume has yet to be shipped. Industry insiders believed that the export procedures may not be completed until December. Coupled with a 2-3 month transportation period to China, it is expected that the DRC quota volume will not arrive in China until around March of next year, slower than previously anticipated. At present, the market is primarily relying on inventory that had already been shipped before the ban. Most major miners and traders remain optimistic about the future market, holding back supplies and showing reluctance to sell, with a few offers exceeding $23.5 per pound. Although recent market sentiment weakened and price growth slowed, the underlying trend of tight raw material supply remains unchanged