First Cobalt receives key permit for its battery materials refinery in Canada
(Kitco News) - First Cobalt (TSX-V: FCC)announced Thursday that it has received the second of three required permitamendments to recommission its hydrometallurgical refinery in Canada.
"Receipt of the Air &Noise Environmental Compliance Approval from the Ontario Ministry of theEnvironment, Conservation and Parks is yet another key milestone in theadvancement of the company's North American battery materials strategy," thecompany said in a statement.
The third and final permitamendment has undergone community consultations, has been submitted to theMinistry for review and final approval is expected shortly, the company added.
The US$60 million facilityexpansion remains on schedule to be commissioned in Q4 2022. Once commissioned,First Cobalt expects its hydrometallurgical refinery to have peer leading ESGcredentials, with the lowest Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in the industry,First Cobalt noted.
President and CEO Trent Mellcommented, "With financing in place, receipt of this latest permit keeps us onschedule for Phase 1 of our North American Battery Materials Park strategy. Bythe end of 2022, we will be the only producer of battery-grade cobalt sulfatein North America."
First Cobalt owns a permittedNorth American hydrometallurgical refinery, a critical asset in the developmentand manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles. First Cobalt also ownsthe Iron Creek cobalt-copper project in Idaho, USA as well as severalsignificant cobalt and silver properties in the Canadian Cobalt Camp.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
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