When Two Miners Meet: The Deal That Could Power a Nation

Cobalt Blue and Legacy Minerals join forces to build Australia’s domestic battery supply chain

11 Nov 2025

Australia’s battery sector is moving to capture more value from its critical minerals, as Cobalt Blue and Legacy Minerals signed a memorandum of understanding to explore domestic refining of key battery materials.

The non-binding deal, announced in October 2025, links Cobalt Blue’s cobalt refining technology, centred on its Kwinana project in Western Australia, with Legacy Minerals’ nickel-cobalt deposit in New South Wales. The companies will assess opportunities to process materials locally, a step that could generate skilled jobs and bolster Australia’s energy security if the collaboration proceeds to formal agreement.

For years, Australia has exported much of its raw lithium, nickel, and cobalt for processing abroad. With demand for electric vehicles rising sharply and supply chains under scrutiny for resilience and transparency, Canberra and industry groups are seeking ways to expand local refining capacity.

“This partnership is about building resilience and value here at home,” said Joe Kaderavek, chief executive of Cobalt Blue. “Australia has the resources, the technology, and the know-how. What we need now is the commitment to turn that potential into a sustainable, competitive industry.”

Analysts say such partnerships could mark an early stage in Australia’s shift from raw material exporter to integrated clean energy producer. Progress, however, will depend on addressing high capital costs and the availability of infrastructure to support large-scale processing.

The government has identified critical minerals as central to its energy transition strategy and is backing pilot projects that link mining with downstream manufacturing. Industry participants argue that developing refining capacity domestically would help Australia capture more value from its natural resources while supporting global efforts to diversify supply chains.

The collaboration between Cobalt Blue and Legacy Minerals reflects growing momentum behind that strategy, positioning Australia to play a greater role in the global battery economy.