Australian firm Cobalt Blue has announced Japanese group Iwatani as its potential partner in developing its cobalt/nickel refinery project in the Kwinana industrial area, outside Perth, Western Australia.
The project, which will be Australia’s first cobalt sulphate refinery, will be located on a site that is owned by Iwatani Australia.
Partnering with an existing property owner would substantially reduce development time for the refinery, notes Cobalt Blue.
“Cobalt Blue is excited to have a potential refinery partner of the calibre of Iwatani Corporation.
“Iwatani brings significant value to the relationship as an established large-scale trader of battery minerals into the important Japanese and US battery supply chain and as an established landholder/operator in the Kwinana district,” says CEO Joe Kaderavek.
Iwatani has established partnerships and collaborations with companies worldwide to further advance their expertise in technologies and explore new markets.