Cobalt Blue Advances Kwinana Refinery Toward Final Investment Decision

Critical EIS studies covering groundwater, biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, soils, bushfire, air quality, noise and agricultural impacts are ongoing. No material approval constraints have been identified so far. A scoping report supporting the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements is expected to be submitted during the September quarter, though the development application remains subject to satisfactory PFS outcomes.

At Halls Creek, about 870 kilograms of Onedin and Sandiego material was collected to optimise the Stage 1 heap leach flowsheet. The work tests whether both deposits could feed a single operation, which may reduce development complexity and improve capital efficiency. The updated scoping study will also examine silver recovery and is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. After that, Cobalt Blue intends to progress Halls Creek to a PFS.

Cobalt Blue retained its 51% beneficial interest and exercised its right to earn up to 75% by spending a further A$1.5 million on the tenements by 30 June 2028.

CSIRO Partnership and Project Infinity

Cobalt Blue and the CSIRO are developing a flotation process to recover graphite from battery black mass, which contains about 20% to 40% graphite. Testing covers thermally treated black mass and residues produced after leaching through Cobalt Blue’s process. The CSIRO program is scheduled to conclude during the September quarter. The recovered graphite-rich concentrate has not yet been assayed, meaning visual observations cannot determine its concentration, impurities or economic characteristics. The work could support evaluation of recycled Australian feedstock for Kwinana while broadening the commercial role of the Broken Hill Technology Centre.

For Project Infinity, US refinery location candidates have been shortlisted and bench-scale work has started on polymetallic nodules.

The development application for Kwinana remains subject to satisfactory PFS outcomes. An EIS support document is expected in the September quarter.