Cobalt is exceptionally hard and strong, which means it’s great for a lot of things. It helps produce batteries, magnets and even some medicines. Cobalt is also a stunning blue color, which is used in jewelry and art.
(Stainless steel is an example of such a cobalt alloy used as an implant.) Mixes of cobalt with other metals can produce strong alloys. They’re integral to airplane engines, machines and certain types of tools. It is the addition of cobalt to these alloys that makes them strong and durable.
Cobalt is an important part of a lot of industries and technology. It is used to produce turbines for power plants, as well as cutting tools for factories and even some medical devices. There are lot of things the work wouldn't be without cobalt.
Cobalt is an oldie but a goodie, relatively speaking. Miners discovered it while looking for silver. They initially did not think cobalt had any use but then discovered how remarkable and expensive it was.
Cobalt is typically buried deep in the earth. Miners have to dig deep to unearth it. Once cobalt is brought to the surface, companies refine it, so that it is in a pure form and ready for industrial use. This requires hard work and tools.