Name of the Project
Cobalt sulphate refinery.

Location
Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Minerals company Electra Battery Materials Corporation, formerly First Cobalt.

Project Description
The fully permitted brownfield cobalt sulphate refinery is designed to initially produce 5 120 t/y of contained cobalt, with crystalliser nameplate capacity of up to 6 500 t/y.

At full capacity, the refinery could produce enough cobalt sulphate to supply more than one-million electric vehicles (EVs) a year. The project’s modular design is able to grow with the EV market. Once operational, it is expected to be the only refinery in North America producing battery-grade cobalt sulphate.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Electra has approved a $73-million (C$100-million) construction budget for the remaining construction work through mechanical completion.

Planned Start/End Date
Select commissioning activities are targeted to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, with mechanical completion planned for the second quarter of 2027. Full commissioning and production ramp-up are expected in the third quarter of 2027, followed by commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Latest Developments
Electra reported on August 18, 2026, that refinery construction remained on schedule and on budget, with engineering substantially complete and structural steel erection, concrete work, equipment installation and piping preparation under way.

Major construction packages are being executed across the solvent extraction, crystalliser and existing refinery areas. Electra has finalised agreements with WB Melback Corporation for about C$26-million and Pro Pipe Construction for about C$6.8-million, while Kilmarnock Enterprises is advancing work under its structural, mechanical and piping package.

On August 20, Electra extended its cobalt hydroxide feed purchase agreement with Glencore until December 31, 2031. The agreement secures 100% of the feedstock required for refinery commissioning and ramp-up until 2027 and provides for about 10 000 t of contained cobalt over five years.

Subsequently, on August 26, Electra finalised definitive agreements with Invest Ontario for C$17.5-million in funding to support refinery construction. This follows a C$20-million federal funding agreement signed with the government of Canada in May 2026.

Downstream, LG Energy Solution reaffirmed its long-term offtake relationship with Electra in March 2026. The updated agreement commits 60% of the refinery’s cobalt sulphate production until 2029, with an option to extend the terms until 2032.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Ausenco Engineering Canada (independent feasibility study); Knight Piésold (geotechnical drilling); Story Environmental (permit to take water); Metso Outotec (solvent extraction plant design and equipment); EXP Services (engineering, project management and construction management support); WB Melback Corporation (solvent extraction construction); Pro Pipe Construction/Dalcon Construction (crystalliser structural, mechanical and piping works); and Kilmarnock Enterprises (structural, mechanical and piping works across the existing refinery).

Contact Details for Project Information
Electra Battery Materials Corporation, tel +1 416 900 3891 or email info@ElectraBMC.com.