Yuma, Arizona (Az Family) –It has the driving force to reduce the dependence on China for cobalt, the metal key to making rechargeable batteries, computer chips and medical devices.
The country’s first cobalt processing facility could come to Arizona.
Evelution Energy’s Two years ago, the solar-powered cobalt processing facility was approved by Yuma County leaders. The company said it is on track to begin construction at the end of the year. The facility is set to be built in Takuna, about 40 miles east of Yuma.
Co-founder Gil Michel Garcia said the factory will meet 40% of US cobalt demand.
“What we’re trying to do with this facility is to address the lack of cobalt processing and the lack of domestic availability in the US and produce it in a green way at large facilities,” Garcia said.
Garcia said it was trying to disrupt China’s control of the cobalt market. It is estimated that Chinese refineries will produce 60-90% of the world’s supply.
As President Trump moves to boost domestic metal production, Evelution Energy believes it is in the right place at the right time. “We are a project that directly benefits from tariffs as it hinders competing Chinese materials,” Garcia said.
The Yuma Economic Impact Report estimates that the proposed factory will generate 1,200 construction jobs and up to 60 permanent positions.
The company will partner with Arizona Western College to develop a training program to hire local students and veterans.
“We’re particularly focused on hiring veterans because we want people with security clearance,” Garcia said.
Evelution Energy says it is committed to environmentally friendly solar facilities. It plans to use water from groundwater wells and recycle up to 70%.
“We’re not throwing anything into the water table that could affect them, and we’re not filtering out any materials that could create dust that could contaminate the crop,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the excess energy they produce from the sun will be sold at a low cost to nearby farmers.
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