The first thing to note about Broken Hill is that cobalt is its sole product, a unique aspect that sets it apart from other operations around the world. “Globally, 98% of cobalt is a byproduct of copper or nickel,” says Kaderavek. “In the case of copper it’s 60% of that market. And in nickel’s case, it’s around 38%. Cobalt is essentially an accidental metal for everyone except us.” Such an operations model means costs are cut, as capital and equipment expenditure are focused solely on the one material, as opposed to any other metals extracted. The method of extraction itself is also novel.“We developed a process that thermally decomposes the pyrite, so there are no acidic by-products,” Kaderavek says. “It materially drops costs and makes the process environmentally friendly. It’s a very elegant solution to the challenge.”The project is anticipated to produce around 4,000 tonnes of battery-ready cobalt per year, with a project lifespan of 20+ years. As well as the modified extraction process, electrified mine vehicles and eco-friendly processing will ensure that operations are environmentally sound. “We’re very proud of our operations because we’re large and open cut, we’ll be rehabilitating the ground when we finish, and it will all go back to the local community,” says Kaderavek.Perhaps more importantly, the project will not only extract the metal but also refine it – avoiding the usual process of sending the mineral to China, where the methods of processing are often shrouded in something of a mystery that has previously been cause for ethical concern. QUOTE This article on 8/3/21 explains the unique advantage COB has over other cobalt mining operations IMO
https://www.mining-technology.com/features/australia-cashes-in-on-cobalt/
