Cobalt Blue Holdings has teamed up with Glomar Minerals to unlock critical minerals from polymetallic nodules.
The two companies have formed a consortium to develop ‘Project Infinity,’ a plan to build a world-first processing facility in the US.
The project aims to extract critical minerals from polymetallic nodules, which are small, mineral-rich rocks found on the ocean floor, to supply products to the US advanced manufacturing and defence industries.
Under the agreement, Cobalt Blue will leverage its patented technology and its Broken Hill Technology Centre to lead feasibility studies and metallurgical testing.
The focus will be on refining a multi-metal feedstock that contains cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements.
The proposed US plant is expected to have a capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum.
Cobalt Blue’s role involves using its proprietary flowsheet, originally developed for its Broken Hill and Kwinana projects, to prove the technical and economic viability of processing these seafloor deposits with minimal waste.
Cobalt Blue CEO Andrew Tong said: “Our collaboration with Glomar Minerals provides a compelling opportunity to utilise Cobalt Blue’s patented hydrometallurgical technology for a new, significant multicommodity feedstock.”
Polymetallic nodules provide a high-grade and large-scale resource that can be processed with minimal waste generation.
For Cobalt Blue, the deal is a strategic win. It secures the company’s position in the global mid-stream refining market and expands the utility of its Broken Hill R&D hub.
It also places the company at the forefront of an important, emerging industry, enhancing long‑term growth and investor appeal.
The use of polymetallic nodules also aligns with Cobalt Blue’s emphasis on sustainability and next‑generation refining solutions.
The work program is slated to run over the next 18 to 24 months, pending final funding.
If successful, the consortium will move toward full-scale construction, creating a secure, de-risked supply chain independent of traditional terrestrial mining constraints.