Cobalt Blue is exporting Australian processing expertise to the United States, striking a consortium agreement with Glomar Minerals to advance a “world-first” critical minerals facility.
Under the partnership, known as Project Infinity, Cobalt Blue will apply its patented hydrometallurgical technology to support feasibility studies for a proposed 200,000 tonnes-per-annum polymetallic nodule processing plant in the US.
“Our collaboration with Glomar Minerals provides a compelling opportunity to utilise Cobalt Blue’s patented hydrometallurgical technology for a new, significant multicommodity feedstock,” Cobalt Blue chief executive officer Andrew Tong said. “Our technical work to date indicates that high metal recoveries are achievable.”
Polymetallic nodules – rich in cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese and rare earth elements – are emerging as a strategic, multi-metal feedstock aligned with US priorities to secure supply chains for defence and advanced manufacturing.
“This opportunity represents a gamechanger to redefine critical mineral dependence, and assist the United States to win the race for polymetallic nodule supremacy,” Glomar Minerals chair Robbie Diamond said.
With feasibility work set to run over 18–24 months, the consortium positions Australian-developed technology at the centre of a new, globally significant critical minerals supply chain.