Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB, OTC:CBBHF, FRA:COH) recently announced a consortium agreement with US-based Glomar Minerals to advance Project Infinity, a proposed polymetallic nodule processing facility in the United States, marking a strategic step into the rapidly evolving critical minerals sector.
Speaking to Proactive, CEO Dr Andrew Tong said the collaboration would combine Glomar Minerals’ offshore nodule harvesting capabilities with the company’s proprietary refining technology, positioning it to support US domestic supply chains. He noted that cobalt prices had strengthened significantly over the past year, describing the metal as “a really hot commodity,” driven by its importance in battery safety and performance.
Tong explained that the project would focus on processing polymetallic nodules sourced from the Clarion Clipperton Zone, which contain a mix of manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper. He highlighted that the opportunity is not solely cobalt-focused, with manganese playing an increasingly important role in next-generation battery chemistries.
The proposed facility is expected to process around 200,000 tonnes per annum, a scale that Tong said was deliberately smaller than some competing developments. He indicated that this approach allows the company to target higher-value manganese sulfate markets without oversupplying, while maintaining capital discipline.
Key highlights
- Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd signs consortium agreement with Glomar Minerals
- Project Infinity targets US-based polymetallic nodule processing facility
- Planned capacity of ~200,000 tonnes per annum
- Feedstock sourced from Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean
- Nodules contain manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper
- Focus on manganese-rich and cobalt battery materials
- Proprietary, patent-protected processing technology highlighted
- Over 90% recovery rates achieved in test work
- Smaller-scale strategy aimed at higher-value manganese sulfate market
- Strong government support for critical minerals initiatives
- Potential to reshape supply chains outside China
Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Investors. Your host Kerry Stevenson. First off to Andrew Tong, CEO of Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd. The company focuses on cobalt and critical resources. Today, it has announced a collaboration with US-based Glomar Minerals. Andrew, can you tell us more about this agreement and how significant it is?
Dr Andrew Tong: Thank you, Kerry. It’s great to be back. Cobalt has become a really hot commodity over the last 12 months, with prices rising from around US$10 to US$25–26 per pound. This agreement with Glomar Minerals is an excellent opportunity for Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd to expand into the US market.
Proactive: How does this fit with the company’s existing projects?
Dr Andrew Tong: The company has strong projects in Australia, including the Broken Hill cobalt project and the Kwinana Cobalt Refinery. This collaboration allows the company to extend its processing technology into a second project in the US, focused on polymetallic nodules.
Proactive: Can you explain the resource and processing approach?
Dr Andrew Tong: The nodules are located in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean. Glomar Minerals will handle extraction and logistics, while the partnership will develop a processing facility in the US. These nodules contain around 20% manganese and about 1% cobalt, making it a manganese-cobalt opportunity.
Proactive: Why are these materials important?
Dr Andrew Tong: Cobalt plays a key role in battery safety, particularly in reducing fire risks. At the same time, future battery technologies are expected to be more manganese-rich, which aligns well with this project.
Proactive: What differentiates your technology?
Dr Andrew Tong: The company has developed proprietary, patent-protected technology through its Kwinana refinery work. It offers low capital and operating costs while producing high-purity cobalt sulfate. Importantly, testing has shown recovery rates of over 90% for manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper from nodules.
Proactive: Is there competition in this space?
Dr Andrew Tong: There are other players, such as The Metals Company, which is pursuing much larger-scale projects. Project Infinity is designed at a smaller scale of around 200,000 tonnes per annum, allowing the company to target higher-value manganese sulfate markets without oversupplying.
Proactive: Is there government support for this initiative?
Dr Andrew Tong: There is significant support from government agencies for critical minerals projects, and the company is actively engaging with them. This is an emerging sector, and if successful, it could be a game changer for the supply of critical minerals.
Proactive: Great to speak with you, Andrew. Thank you for your time.
Dr Andrew Tong: Thank you, Kerry.