Core Insights - Electra Battery Materials Corporation is advancing the construction of North America's first cobalt sulfate refinery, which is a key part of its strategy to enhance the critical minerals supply chain in North America [1][7]. Construction Progress - Construction crews have completed the installation of exterior pipe racks connecting various components of the refinery, with ongoing work focused on civil, structural, concrete, and tankage installations [4]. - The project is progressing well, with construction financing and permits secured, and most long-lead equipment already obtained [5]. Strategic Importance - The cobalt sulfate refinery is crucial for building a resilient North American supply chain for critical minerals, aligning with government and industry efforts to secure domestic processing capacity amid geopolitical changes [7]. - Once operational, the facility is expected to produce battery-grade cobalt, enhancing supply reliability for North American markets [7]. Future Plans - The company is also exploring black mass recycling opportunities to recover critical materials from end-of-life batteries and evaluating growth opportunities in nickel refining and other downstream battery materials [9].