Electra, a Canadian-based mining and metals company, announced that it has begun talks with the government of Quebec about the possibility of building a second cobalt refinery in the province. The new facility could be located in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region, and would be used to process cobalt ore mined from the company’s nearby Lac des Monts mine.
The announcement comes as part of Electra’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the Canadian cobalt industry. The company currently operates a cobalt refinery in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, which produces more than 5,000 tonnes of cobalt concentrate annually. The new facility, if approved, would increase Electra’s production capacity by an additional 3,000 tonnes.
The new refinery would be located near the company’s Lac des Monts mine, which is located in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec. The mine is estimated to contain more than 10 million tonnes of cobalt ore, and is currently in the process of being developed for production. Electra has said that the new facility would be used to process ore from the mine, and that it would be capable of producing up to 3,000 tonnes of cobalt concentrate annually.
The proposed facility would be the first of its kind in the region, and would help to create jobs and economic activity in the area. Electra has said that it plans to work with local communities to ensure that the facility is built responsibly and with respect for the environment.
The company has already begun talks with the provincial government about the project, and is currently in the process of seeking the necessary permits and approvals. Electra has said that it hopes to have the facility operational by 2021, and that it will employ up to 100 people when it is fully operational.
The new facility would be the latest addition to Electra’s growing presence in the Canadian cobalt industry. The company currently operates several other cobalt mines in the province, including the Lac des Monts mine, as well as the recently opened Lac des Monts East mine. Electra is also in the process of developing a third cobalt mine in the province, which is expected to begin production in 2020.
The increased production capacity from the new facility would help Electra meet the growing demand for cobalt in the global market. Cobalt is a key component of many modern technologies, including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. The demand for cobalt is expected to continue to grow as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy.
The new facility would also help Electra to expand its presence in the global cobalt market. The company currently exports cobalt concentrate to countries around the world, and the new facility would help to increase its production capacity and expand its export market.
The announcement of the new facility is part of Electra’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the cobalt industry. The company has recently acquired a number of cobalt mines in the province, and is currently in the process of developing new projects. Electra has said that it is committed to responsible mining practices, and that it will continue to work with local communities to ensure that its projects are built responsibly and with respect for the environment.
