COBALT, ONTARIO: A small northern Ontario community is preparing to play a major role in North America’s critical minerals industry as construction continues on the continent’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery.
Electra Battery Materials is developing the facility near the town of Cobalt, with commercial operations expected to begin by the end of 2027. Once operational, the refinery will produce up to 6,500 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt sulfate annually—enough to supply material for approximately one million electric vehicle batteries each year.
The project will become the first cobalt refinery of its kind in North America and only the second facility outside China capable of producing battery-grade cobalt, helping diversify a supply chain currently dominated by Chinese refiners.
Cobalt sulfate is a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, energy storage systems, and defense technologies. Company officials say the refinery will strengthen North America’s access to critical minerals while supporting energy security and advanced manufacturing.
Rather than sourcing raw cobalt domestically, Electra will import cobalt hydroxide from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which accounts for roughly three-quarters of global cobalt production. The material will be transported through South Africa and the Port of Montreal before reaching the Ontario refinery.
The company says it is working to ensure responsible sourcing by conducting regular site inspections and independent audits to verify environmental and labour standards within its supply chain.
Located in a region historically known for silver mining, the town of Cobalt has seen renewed interest in recent years as companies searched for commercially viable cobalt deposits. Although large-scale local reserves have yet to be developed, the refinery is expected to position the community as an important processing hub for North America’s growing battery industry.
Industry experts say expanding refining capacity is a critical step toward reducing dependence on overseas processing and strengthening Canada’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain, even as battery technologies continue to evolve.
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