September 9, 2025 -- CEO Dr Andrew Tong spoke with Proactive about the ongoing progress at the Broken Hill Technology Centre (BHTC) and the milestones being achieved as we move toward a final investment decision on the Kwinana Cobalt Refinery by the end of 2025.
Originally established to validate the full flowsheet of the Broken Hill Cobalt Project, the BHTC has, over the past two years, been instrumental in piloting technology programs for the Kwinana Refinery – details of which were outlined in our recent Market Update.
At a glance
- Company
- Cobalt Blue
- Location
- Broken Hill
People
- Dr Andrew TongCEO
Products and programs
BHTC has also given us the flexibility to explore new opportunities. Over the past several months, we have successfully trialled black mass from recycled batteries, producing high-purity cobalt sulphate and metal.
Through our partnership with EcoBatt – one of the largest players in the battery recycling industry – as well as by testing material from other domestic and international sources, we are demonstrating the potential to diversify and expand our cobalt production pathways.
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Questions around this news
What role does the Broken Hill Technology Centre play in Cobalt Blue’s projects?
The release says the Broken Hill Technology Centre was first established to validate the full flowsheet for the Broken Hill Cobalt Project. It has since been used to pilot technology programs for the proposed Kwinana Cobalt Refinery, and the company says the centre also gives it flexibility to explore other opportunities.
What did the battery-recycling material trials produce?
The company reports that it trialled black mass from recycled batteries and produced high-purity cobalt sulphate and cobalt metal. It says the work involved material from EcoBatt, its battery-recycling partner, as well as material from other domestic and international sources. The release presents these trials as a way to explore additional pathways for cobalt production.
What is black mass from recycled batteries?
Black mass is the concentrated mixture of materials recovered when batteries are dismantled and processed for recycling. Its composition varies with battery chemistry and processing methods, and it can contain metals such as cobalt, nickel, lithium and manganese. Further processing can separate and recover usable materials from the mixture.
