Australia’s Cobalt Blue Secures Three-Year Feedstock Deal with Glencore for Kwinana Refinery
Australia’s Cobalt Blue has signed a three-year agreement with global commodities giant Glencore to supply up to half of the feedstock required for its Kwinana Cobalt Refinery (KCR).
Under the deal, Glencore will provide a minimum of 3,750 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide sourced from its Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The KCR facility, jointly developed by Cobalt Blue and Japan’s Iwatani Corporation in Western Australia, is set to become Australia’s first cobalt sulfate plant catering to lithium-ion battery markets and defence-grade metal production.
“We are thrilled to formalize this partnership with Glencore,” said COB CEO Andrew Tong. “Securing at least 50% of KCR’s feedstock requirements is a major milestone in de-risking the project and advancing us closer to the final investment decision (FID).”
The A$560 million project aims to produce battery-grade cobalt sulfate and cobalt metal for use in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and various industrial applications.
Feedstock volumes under the contract will increase from 750 tonnes in the first year to 1,500 tonnes in both the second and third years.
“Partnering with one of the world’s largest diversified miners strengthens COB’s position in the global cobalt industry,” Tong added. “This collaboration also supports COB’s strategic role in developing new battery and critical minerals supply chains among aligned countries.”
The Glencore agreement highlights Australia’s growing commitment to localizing critical minerals processing and reducing dependency on international supply chains.
The Kwinana refinery is a key element of Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy, designed to supply raw materials for the cathode precursor segment of the electric vehicle battery supply chain.
The refinery is being constructed on Iwatani’s site within the Kwinana-Rockingham industrial precinct, adjacent to existing infrastructure and near Fremantle port. Engineering is led by Tetra Tech, with Green Values managing environmental approvals.
Although COB prioritizes sourcing feedstock from Australian producers, current market conditions have led it to secure international supplies.
The company remains engaged in discussions with local and global suppliers to fulfill the remaining 50% of KCR’s feedstock needs.
COB emphasizes its commitment to responsible sourcing, working only with producers aligned with international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Both Glencore’s KCC and Mutanda operations hold accreditations such as The Copper Mark and the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process, ensuring compliance with OECD guidelines for sourcing minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
