Name of the Project
Idaho cobalt project (ICP).

Location
US.

Client
eCobalt Solutions.

Project Description
eCobalt Solutions has announced positive economics from the feasibility study on the ICP.

The ICP will be a vertically integrated project designed to produce cobalt chemicals for the rechargeable batteries market in addition to by-products of copper concentrate, copper sulphate, magnesium sulphate and gold.

The feasibility study is based on an underground mine with a target production rate of 800 t/d and a life-of-mine production of 31.8-million pounds of cobalt, 42.8-million pounds of copper and 39 241 oz of gold.

The project has an estimated 12.5-year mine life, with a weighted average production of 2.4-million pounds of cobalt a year, 3.3-million pounds of copper a year and 3 000 oz of gold a year.

Additionally, a cobalt production facility (CPF), a hydrometallurgical refining operation located on a railhead in Blackfoot, Idaho, is expected to be built.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at 7.5% discount rate, of $176.9-million and an internal rate of return of 25.1%, with a payback of 2.9 years.

Value
Initial capital costs have been estimated at $186.7-million.

Duration
The project has a preproduction period of 24 months.

Latest Developments
The positive results of the feasibility study have given eCobalt a clear mandate to progress the ICP towards project financing and development.

Management’s immediate goal is to evaluate a variety of opportunities for the ICP. 

The company is also considering securing offtake arrangements for cobalt sulphate heptahydrate.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
eCobalt Solutions, tel +1 604 682 6229 or email inform@eCobalt.com.