In its initial phase (stage one), the refinery is expected to have a production capacity of 3,000tpa of cobalt.
The project requires Cobalt Blue to deliver cobalt samples from its Broken Hill Technology Centre that meet strict quality standards using large-scale processes. The centre has been testing the refinery’s processes since early 2024. Tetra Tech was appointed in July 2024 for engineering tasks, and Green Values is managing permit applications.
The partnership will form a joint venture, with Cobalt Blue owning 70% and Iwatani Australia 30%, pending a successful investment decision. This venture will oversee the refinery’s construction, commissioning, and operations. Agreements on raw material supply, product sales, and intellectual property licensing are also in progress, alongside technical reviews, financing, and regulatory approvals.
Located on Iwatani Australia’s site in the Kwinana-Rockingham industrial area, the refinery benefits from existing infrastructure and its proximity to Fremantle port, enabling efficient import of raw materials and export of finished cobalt products. In its first phase, the facility is expected to produce 3,000 tonnes of cobalt annually, either as cobalt sulphate or metal.
Since December 2023, Cobalt Blue and Iwatani Australia have collaborated on technical assessments and commercial partnerships. Cobalt Blue, set to rebrand as Core Blue Minerals, manages several projects, including the Halls Creek Project in Western Australia and the Broken Hill Cobalt Project in New South Wales. In September 2022, the company received government funding for the Broken Hill initiative.
