Cobalt Blue Holdings and Glomar Minerals have shortlisted four US sites and begun testwork for Project Infinity, aiming to build the first commercial polymetallic nodule refinery in the United States.
- Consortium formed to develop US polymetallic nodule refinery
- Site selection narrowed to four US locations with port access
- Initial testwork on Clarion-Clipperton Zone nodules underway
- Refinery targets manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper production
- Project aligns with US critical minerals supply chain goals
Consortium Targets First US Polymetallic Nodule Refinery
Cobalt Blue Holdings (ASX:COB) and Glomar Minerals have taken a significant step forward in Project Infinity, their joint effort to build the world’s first commercial polymetallic nodule refinery on US soil. Since forming the consortium in March 2026, they have progressed site selection to a shortlist of four strategic locations across Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana, all boasting port access and robust infrastructure to support the ambitious project.
Project Infinity aims to process 200,000 tonnes of deep-sea polymetallic nodules annually, alongside 7,500 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide sourced from ESG-compliant operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The refinery will produce high-purity manganese sulphate, cobalt sulphate, nickel, and copper metal, leveraging Cobalt Blue’s proprietary hydrometallurgical technology originally developed for its Kwinana Cobalt Refinery in Australia.
High-Grade Nodules and Bench-Scale Testwork Underway
The consortium has received 25 kilograms of polymetallic nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean at Cobalt Blue’s Broken Hill Technology Centre. Initial bench-scale testing and characterisation have commenced, providing crucial data to shape the scope of the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study. These nodules contain a mix of manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, titanium, and rare earth elements, offering a multi-metal feedstock with the potential for lower environmental impact compared to traditional mining.
Glomar Minerals’ licences in the CCZ cover approximately 133,000 square kilometres, with over US$40 million invested in oceanographic and environmental surveys since 2012. New sample collection campaigns are planned for later this year, with fresh nodules destined for Broken Hill to support pilot testwork and feasibility efforts.
Strategic US Site Selection and Government Engagement
The consortium’s US site selection process has been rigorous, engaging with eight state economic development offices and senior government officials at the Select USA Investment Summit in Washington DC. The shortlisted sites were assessed for operational criteria including proximity to ports, utilities, skilled labour availability, and streamlined permitting pathways. Priority is given to brownfield locations that offer expansion capacity and established environmental regulatory frameworks.
Cobalt Blue CEO Andrew Tong emphasised the strategic importance of processing control in securing critical minerals supply chains, describing the receipt of nodule samples as a milestone demonstrating their technology’s scalability across multi-metal feedstocks. Meanwhile, Glomar Minerals Executive Chairman Robbie Diamond highlighted the essential role of domestic critical minerals supply for US energy security, manufacturing leadership, and technological independence.
Advancing Cobalt Blue’s Processing Technology Platform
Project Infinity aligns closely with Cobalt Blue’s broader strategy to diversify critical mineral supply chains and scale its hydrometallurgical processing technology. The consortium’s work complements Cobalt Blue’s existing assets, including the Kwinana Cobalt Refinery; Australia’s first dedicated cobalt refinery; and the Broken Hill Cobalt Project, one of the world’s largest undeveloped cobalt resources.
While the current focus is on refining site selection and bench-scale testwork, the consortium plans to develop detailed process flow sheets and feasibility studies once funding is secured. The project’s second phase aims to recover additional elements such as iron, titanium, and light rare earths from refinery residues, further enhancing resource efficiency.
Bottom Line?
Project Infinity’s progress puts Cobalt Blue and Glomar Minerals at the forefront of US critical minerals processing, but feasibility outcomes and funding remain pivotal to turning ambition into operational reality.
Questions in the middle?
- Which of the four shortlisted US sites will ultimately be selected and why?
- How will forthcoming feasibility study results influence Project Infinity’s scale and timelines?
- What regulatory and funding hurdles could impact the consortium’s path to commercial production?