With the commissioning of HML’s new smelter in 2010, for the first time HML is able to recover cobalt contained in copper concentrates. Cobalt is one of the most essential elements in the world and has many strategic and irreplaceable industrial uses.

When cobalt is alloyed with other metals, very strong magnets are created. Super alloys containing cobalt have been used in the production of jet engines and gas turbine engines for energy generation. These super alloys make up nearly half of the cobalt used each year. Cobalt is also used in the making of cutting and wear-resistant materials.

Cobalt’s use in rechargeable batteries is one of its fastest growing applications. The cobalt found at HML’s mines is produced in an alloy form known as copper-cobalt alloy which is marketed to cobalt processing plants around the world.