Cobalt facility planned for Yuma County moves forward

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A cobalt processing facility planned for Yuma County could bring new jobs and industry to the region while expanding Arizona’s role in the electric vehicle and defense supply chains.

Evelution Energy says it plans to build what would be the first commercial-scale solar-powered cobalt processing facility in the United States. The project is planned near the Wellton area, where the company says early site work is already underway.

The facility would process cobalt used in electric vehicle batteries, defense systems, and other advanced technologies.

“It’s the critical material that is used in a lot of defense applications, like jet engines and radars,” said Navaid Alam with Evelution Energy. “It’s on the critical minerals list from the Defense Department and the Department of Energy.”

The company recently announced an $850 million long-term agreement with Japanese company Mitsui & Co. to supply a large portion of the facility’s future cobalt production. They say the agreement helps move the project forward by securing a future buyer for the material and helping attract financing for construction.

Yuma County stood out to them because of its transportation access and year-round dry climate, which they say is ideal for processing and storing metals.

The company also says it plans to prioritize local hiring and work with Arizona Western College’s Wellton campus to create workforce training programs.

According to the company, studies by Baker Tilly estimate the project could create about 3,300 indirect jobs and generate more than $750 million in economic development for Yuma County.

Evelution Energy says the facility would recycle about 70% of the water it uses, operate using solar power, and send non-hazardous waste to a landfill designed to handle industrial material.

The company says it hopes to begin construction sometime early to mid next year.