For the International Energy Agency, having the Democratic Republic of Congo as the supplier of almost 60 per cent of the global production of cobalt is a risky business.
The Nickel West operation in Western Australia, aiming to sell 90 percent of its output to the battery sector by the end of next year, has had success with lab tests.
A surplus of cobalt chemicals used to make the rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles has seen Chinese refiners switch to producing metal, sending prices down 30 percent in recent months.