Canmine Resources announced recently that its remodeled cobalt-nickel refinery in northeastern Ontario, Canada, had started loading feedstock.

Canmine Resources Corp. announced recently that its remodeled cobalt-nickel refinery in northeastern Ontario, Canada, had started loading feedstock and would reach initial capacity over the summer. Annual production is expected to be 300 tonnes of cobalt metal contained in various chemical forms, with expansion within the next two years to 1000 tonnes. Cobalt chemical compounds are used in consumer and industrial applications, especially in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for laptop computers or wireless phones, paints and pigments, tires, and micronutrients for animal feeds. The company said the refinery was Canada's only integrated cobalt chemical producer, and had recently added a circuit for recovery of precious metals and systems for expanding its product line from cobalt carbonate and cobalt oxide to different nickel chemicals. Plans are to use the refinery as a platform for corporate growth, according to Edward Ellwood, president.