"Off Message" presents Episode 6 of the new season of POLITICO's podcast "Global Translations": To understand how essential critical minerals are to our world, we turn to a case study: cobalt. This mineral is proving key to the future of green energy, defense and high tech manufacturing — not to mention electric vehicles. But cobalt has its challenges. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath look at China’s dominant role in global cobalt mining and the serious problems that can arise if other countries can't get enough supplies.Luiza Savage is the host of "Global Translations".Ryan Heath is a host of "Global Translations". Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Nedal T. Nassar is Chief of Materials Flow Analysis Section at the U.S. Geological Survey.Bryce Crocker is the CEO of Jervois MiningAimee Boulanger is the executive director of Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA)Read Luiza Savage's article on how America got outmaneuvered in a critical mining race:https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/02/china-cobalt-mining-441967And check out the other POLITICO newsletters: Global Translations: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/global-translationsMorning Energy: https://www.politico.com/morningenergy/The Long Game: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-gameChina Watcher: politico.com/chinaMorning Tech: https://www.politico.com/morningtech/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices