Ontario and Electra Announce Cobalt Refinery Plan for Temiskaming Shores

Ontario and Electra Battery Materials announced plans on September 12, 2025, to establish a cobalt sulphate refinery in Temiskaming Shores. The Ontario government states it will contribute $17.5 million through the Invest Ontario Fund as part of an investment that officials say will total nearly $100 million. According to provincial officials, the facility would be the first refinery in North America dedicated to producing battery-grade cobalt.

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade reports that the planned facility is part of broader efforts to increase domestic mineral processing, especially in response to economic uncertainty and U.S. tariffs. The development is located in Temiskaming Shores and has been identified by the province as an element of its Critical Minerals Strategy.

According to the Ministry, once fully operational, the Electra refinery is expected to have the capacity to process up to 6,500 tonnes of cobalt per year. Provincial sources describe the project as a move to help strengthen Ontario's electric vehicle battery supply chain.

The government states that its funding remains conditional upon reaching a binding agreement with Electra Battery Materials. Additional context provided by the Ministry notes that the support for Electra is one of several recent investments, including the $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund announced earlier in 2025. This fund is designed to assist projects that expand critical mineral infrastructure in Ontario.

Quotes provided in the provincial release include George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, who stated the facility is intended to bring "good jobs and opportunities that underscore the economic potential of investing in Northern Ontario." Trent Mell, Electra Battery Materials CEO, commented that provincial support is important to the company and to local employment in Temiskaming Shores. Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario, said the Electra facility would be a step toward the province’s stated goal of building a domestic critical mineral supply chain.