Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited (ASX:COB) has been granted Major Project Status for the Broken Hill Cobalt Project (BHCP) in NSW by the Australian Government.
Major Project Status extends for a three year period to support the Project through its development phase.
The grant of Major Project Status by the Australian Government acknowledges the strategic significance of the Broken Hill Cobalt Project as a key national project.
Major Project Status is formal recognition of the national economic implications of the BHCP through its contribution to growth, productivity, government revenue, industry and regional development.
CEO, Joe Kaderavek, said the BHCP remains the only large scale, ex African, greenfield primary cobalt project globally. BHCP production will significantly elevate Australia to become the number two global producer of cobalt.
“Granting Major Project Status to the Broken Hill Cobalt Project will greatly assist COB to raise development capital by recognising the strategic importance given to this Project by the Australian Government.
“This milestone is critically important for overseas partners and well timed in our development journey. COB can now boast both Made in Australia and Backed by Australia.”
The BHCP integrated mine/refinery operation aims to produces high quality, battery ready cobalt sulphate using COB’s proprietary technological processing. Product specifications can be tailored to suit the advanced lithium-ion batteries globally, including the next generation of solid-state batteries. C
ritical minerals projects such as BHCP are integral components of the Australian Critical Minerals Strategy and Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan as well as aligning with national security and strategic interests to bolster geopolitical stability and building sovereign capability in the sector.
To date, the Broken Hill Cobalt Project has attracted strong support from numerous stakeholders including the New South Wales Government, Broken Hill City Council, and Foundation Broken Hill, as well as interest in partnerships from several commercial players in the battery or battery chemical space.
“COB welcomes the recognition by the Australian Government in conferring Major Project Status to the Broken Hill Cobalt Project and we look forward to working with the Major Projects Facilitation Office to progress the Project.
“The awarding of Major Project Status provides COB with extra support from the Major Project Facilitation Office Agency, including a single entry point for Australian Government approvals, project support and coordination with State approvals.”
For further information please visit: https://cobaltblueholdings.com
