Electra Advances Financing for North America’s Only Cobalt Sulfate Refinery
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) has secured significant funding progress for its cobalt sulfate refinery in Ontario, which will be North America's first and only facility of its kind. The company has arranged US$54 million in non-dilutive funding, including US$34 million in government support and a US$20 million strategic investment proposal.
The total capital cost to complete the refinery is estimated at US$60 million, excluding first fills and commissioning costs. Once operational, the facility will produce 6,500 tonnes of cobalt annually, supporting the production of up to 1 million EVs. Located north of Toronto in Temiskaming Shores, the refinery is projected to have the lowest carbon footprint globally among similar facilities.
With over 90% of current cobalt sulfate production concentrated in China, Electra's facility will be one of the few providers without Foreign Entity of Concern involvement in the industry.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) ha ottenuto progressi significativi nel finanziamento per la sua raffineria di solfato di cobalto in Ontario, che sarà la prima e unica struttura di questo tipo in Nord America. L'azienda ha organizzato 54 milioni di dollari USA in finanziamenti non diluitivi, di cui 34 milioni di dollari di supporto governativo e una proposta di investimento strategico di 20 milioni di dollari.
Il costo totale del capitale per completare la raffineria è stimato in 60 milioni di dollari USA, escludendo i costi di riempimento iniziali e di messa in servizio. Una volta operativa, la struttura produrrà 6.500 tonnellate di cobalto all'anno, supportando la produzione di fino a 1 milione di veicoli elettrici. Situata a nord di Toronto a Temiskaming Shores, la raffineria avrà la più bassa impronta di carbonio a livello globale tra strutture simili.
Con oltre il 90% dell'attuale produzione di solfato di cobalto concentrata in Cina, la struttura di Electra sarà uno dei pochi fornitori senza coinvolgimento di Entità Straniere di Preoccupazione nel settore.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) ha logrado avances significativos en la financiación de su refinería de sulfato de cobalto en Ontario, que será la primera y única instalación de este tipo en América del Norte. La empresa ha asegurado 54 millones de dólares estadounidenses en financiación no dilutiva, incluyendo 34 millones de dólares en apoyo gubernamental y una propuesta de inversión estratégica de 20 millones de dólares.
El costo total de capital para completar la refinería se estima en 60 millones de dólares estadounidenses, excluyendo los costos de llenado inicial y de puesta en marcha. Una vez operativa, la instalación producirá 6,500 toneladas de cobalto anualmente, apoyando la producción de hasta 1 millón de vehículos eléctricos. Ubicada al norte de Toronto en Temiskaming Shores, se proyecta que la refinería tendrá la menor huella de carbono a nivel mundial entre instalaciones similares.
Con más del 90% de la producción actual de sulfato de cobalto concentrada en China, la instalación de Electra será uno de los pocos proveedores sin participación de Entidades Extranjeras de Preocupación en la industria.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM)는 온타리오에 위치한 코발트 황산 정제소에 대한 중요한 자금 조달 진전을 확보했습니다. 이는 북미에서 처음이자 유일한 시설이 될 것입니다. 이 회사는 5천4백만 달러 미국의 비희석 자금 조달을 마련했으며, 그 중 3천4백만 달러는 정부 지원, 2천만 달러는 전략적 투자 제안입니다.
정제소 완공을 위한 총 자본 비용은 6천만 달러 미국으로 추정되며, 초기 충전 및 시운전 비용은 제외됩니다. 운영이 시작되면 이 시설은 연간 6,500톤의 코발트를 생산하여 최대 100만 대의 전기차 생산을 지원할 것입니다. 토론토 북쪽의 테미스카밍 쇼어스에 위치한 이 정제소는 유사 시설 중에서 세계에서 가장 낮은 탄소 발자국을 가질 것으로 예상됩니다.
현재 코발트 황산 생산의 90% 이상이 중국에 집중되어 있는 가운데, Electra의 시설은 업계에서 외국 우려 엔티티의 개입 없이 운영되는 몇 안 되는 공급업체 중 하나가 될 것입니다.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) a réalisé des progrès significatifs dans le financement de sa raffinerie de sulfate de cobalt en Ontario, qui sera la première et unique installation de ce type en Amérique du Nord. L'entreprise a sécurisé 54 millions de dollars US en financement non dilutif, dont 34 millions de dollars en soutien gouvernemental et une proposition d'investissement stratégique de 20 millions de dollars.
Le coût total du capital pour achever la raffinerie est estimé à 60 millions de dollars US, hors coûts de remplissage initial et de mise en service. Une fois opérationnelle, l'installation produira 6 500 tonnes de cobalt par an, soutenant la production de jusqu'à 1 million de véhicules électriques. Située au nord de Toronto à Temiskaming Shores, la raffinerie devrait avoir l'empreinte carbone la plus basse au monde parmi des installations similaires.
Avec plus de 90 % de la production actuelle de sulfate de cobalt concentrée en Chine, l'installation d'Electra sera l'un des rares fournisseurs sans implication d'entités étrangères préoccupantes dans l'industrie.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) hat bedeutende Fortschritte bei der Finanzierung seiner Kobaltsulfat-Raffinerie in Ontario erzielt, die die erste und einzige ihrer Art in Nordamerika sein wird. Das Unternehmen hat 54 Millionen US-Dollar an nicht verwässernder Finanzierung organisiert, darunter 34 Millionen US-Dollar an staatlicher Unterstützung und einen strategischen Investitionsvorschlag über 20 Millionen US-Dollar.
Die Gesamtkapitalkosten für den Abschluss der Raffinerie werden auf 60 Millionen US-Dollar geschätzt, ohne die Kosten für die ersten Befüllungen und die Inbetriebnahme. Nach der Inbetriebnahme wird die Anlage jährlich 6.500 Tonnen Kobalt produzieren, was die Produktion von bis zu 1 Million Elektrofahrzeugen unterstützt. Die Raffinerie, die nördlich von Toronto in Temiskaming Shores liegt, wird voraussichtlich den weltweit niedrigsten CO2-Fußabdruck unter ähnlichen Anlagen haben.
Da über 90 % der aktuellen Kobaltsulfatproduktion in China konzentriert sind, wird Electras Anlage einer der wenigen Anbieter ohne Beteiligung ausländischer besorgniserregender Entitäten in der Branche sein.
- Secured US$54M in non-dilutive funding, including US$34M government support
- Will be North America's only cobalt sulfate refinery with 6,500 tonnes annual capacity
- Strategic positioning as one of few global providers without Foreign Entity of Concern involvement
- Projected lowest carbon footprint among similar refineries worldwide
- Still needs additional funding to reach US$60M total capital cost requirement
- Commissioning costs and first fills expenses not included in current budget estimates
Insights
Electra's financing progress represents a significant milestone for its cobalt sulfate refinery. The company has secured
The substantial government backing is strategically significant, addressing both the funding gap and validating the project's importance to North America's critical minerals supply chain. With
While the financing progress is substantial, investors should note that additional funding will still be required for first fills and commissioning costs beyond the base
The project's strategic positioning as North America's only cobalt sulfate refinery represents a significant competitive advantage in supplying the rapidly expanding EV battery market under tightening domestic content requirements for critical minerals.
Electra's cobalt sulfate refinery represents a pivotal development in North America's EV supply chain resilience. With China controlling
The facility's projected output of 6,500 tonnes annually would support production of approximately 1 million EVs per year - a substantial contribution to North American manufacturing capacity. This positions Electra at a critical juncture in the EV battery materials supply chain, potentially attracting battery manufacturers seeking IRA tax credit compliance through domestic sourcing.
The refinery's location in Ontario leverages Canada's established mining infrastructure while reducing logistical complexities for North American automakers. The project's claim to have the lowest carbon footprint globally further enhances its appeal to manufacturers increasingly focused on sustainability metrics throughout their supply chains.
The high-level government engagement, including site visits from parliamentary representatives, demonstrates the project's strategic importance within Canada's critical minerals strategy. This political backing significantly de-risks the project's regulatory pathway and suggests potential for additional support mechanisms beyond current commitments.
As battery chemistries evolve, securing domestic sources of high-purity battery materials like cobalt sulfate provides crucial supply chain security for North American EV manufacturers facing increasingly stringent domestic content requirements in both Canadian and U.S. markets.
Site visit by MP Marc Serré highlights importance of EV supply chain
TORONTO, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update following a visit from the Honourable Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, to its cobalt sulfate refinery site in Ontario. The Company welcomed the MPs following Electra’s announcement on Friday of a conditional contribution from the Government of Canada to support completion of North America’s first and only cobalt sulfate refinery.
To date, Electra has arranged US
“Canada, with its abundance of critical mineral resources, is uniquely positioned to play an important role in the global energy transition,” said MP Serré. “It is important that the government be there. Electra’s project will provide Canada with a high-quality critical mineral input that will contribute to the net-zero economy and strengthen our mining industry.”
“We are grateful for the Government of Canada’s continued support,” said Trent Mell, CEO of Electra. “This site visit demonstrates government engagement in building a domestic critical minerals supply chain. We are proud to be leading the way with a facility that will produce sustainable, battery-grade material for the EV market.”
During the site tour, Electra’s team shared updates on progress toward commissioning and discussed the critical role the refinery will play in strengthening North America’s electric vehicle supply chain. With more than
“We are pleased with the commitments we have secured to date,” said Marty Rendall, Chief Financial Officer of Electra. “Our full financing solution is advancing as planned and we look forward to sharing additional updates with the market in the near future.”
Once fully commissioned, Electra’s facility is expected to produce 6,500 tonnes of cobalt per year, which would support the production of up to 1 million EVs annually. The refinery project is located north of Toronto, in the town of Temiskaming Shores, and is projected to have the lowest carbon footprint of any refinery of its kind in the world.
About Electra Battery Materials
Electra is a processor of low-carbon, ethically-sourced battery materials. Currently focused on developing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra is executing a phased strategy to onshore the electric vehicle supply chain and provide a North American solution for EV battery materials refining. In addition to building North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, its strategy includes integrating black mass recycling, potential cobalt sulfate processing in Bécancour, Quebec, and exploring nickel sulfate production potential in North America. For more information, please visit www.ElectraBMC.com.
Contact
Heather Smiles
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Electra Battery Materials
info@ElectraBMC.com
1.416.900.3891
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the bases for assumptions with respect to the potential for additional government funding are discussions and indications of support from government actors based on certain milestones being achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials Corporation, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and with on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes with respect to government or investor expectations or actions as compared to communicated intentions, and general macroeconomic and other trends that can affect levels of government or private investment. Although the Company believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87a46179-113f-46d9-893a-119e9ae7f6ee
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