Electra Battery Materials begins engineering study for US nickel refinery

Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM) announced it has engaged engineering consultants to advance a development study for a battery-grade nickel refinery in the southeastern United States.

The study will evaluate technical requirements, capital intensity and development pathways for a domestic nickel refining operation with a target production capacity of approximately 15,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulfate and metal, and 1,000 tonnes per year of cobalt metal. The refinery would use conventional hydrometallurgical refining technologies.

"As we approach a key construction milestone on our cobalt sulfate refinery, we are also advancing our longer-term pipeline of critical minerals processing assets," said CEO Trent Mell. The company's cobalt sulfate refinery remains its primary development priority and is expected to commence commissioning in the second quarter of 2027.

The engineering work builds on a nickel refinery study completed in 2022 by Electra in collaboration with Glencore and Talon Metals. The current study will focus on processing globally sourced MHP and MSP feedstocks, leveraging deep-water port infrastructure and proximity to the battery manufacturing corridor in the southeastern United States.

The report will define site selection criteria, capital requirements, operating parameters and development timelines. Electra has narrowed its evaluation to a preferred region based on infrastructure, logistics, workforce and supply chain partners.

The company's strategy involves leveraging globally sourced nickel intermediate feedstocks for near-term project development, supplemented over time by supplies from North American mining and battery recycling operations. The results of this study will be used to assess the project's technical and commercial viability and support detailed engineering work.

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