A rechargeable battery is device that produces electrical power from reversible chemical reactions. It consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte separating the anode from the cathode. The materials used in a battery are listed in the table below
| Material | Role | % Weight | price / lb |
| Graphite | anode | ~30% | 3 |
| Lithium | electrolyte | ~3% | 6 |
| Manganese | cathode | ~5% | 5 |
| Iron | cathode | ~3% | low |
| Cobalt | cathode | ~4% | 10 |
| Nickel | cathode | ~16% | 7 |
| Copper | current | ~10% | 4.5 |
| Aluminum | multi-role | ~20% | 1.20 |
| Steel | ~9% | low |
High-performance EV batteries have a graphite anode, a lithium salt electrolyte and a cathode comprised of a mixture of transition metals, usually manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel. Current is collected from the electrodes by copper or aluminum, and the battery housing is usually steel. When an electrical load is connected to the battery, lithium ions transport positive charge from the cathode to the anode and electrons flow from the anode to the cathode. The current collectors are either Aluminum or Copper.
North American Production
Cobalt
There are two cobalt mines in North America, one operated by Sherritt Internation (T.S) and one operated by Jervois (V.JRV). Globally, DRC is a major producer of the metal.
Manganese
No appreciable manganese production in North America currently, however MN. V aims to become a Canadian producer. South Africa and Gabon are significant global producers.
Nickel
Several mines operate the Sudbury area. By far the largest producer is Indonesia.
Lithium
Lithium Americas (LAC.TO) has production in Argentina and the potentially the USA. There are huge deposits in Lithium-rich saltwater in the Smackover formation in Arkansas that have been recently acquired by several corporation including ExonMobil, Pantera Minerals and Standard Lithium SLI.V.
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