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EVelution Energy has started construction of a 28 MW solar facility that will power its planned commercial-scale cobalt processing plant in Arizona, marking another milestone in the development of what the company says will be the United States’ first solar-powered cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility.
Rebuild American Domestic Critical Minerals Processing
EVelution Energy has commenced construction of the 28 MW solar facility that will supply renewable power to its planned cobalt processing operation in Yuma County, Arizona, advancing the company’s USD$450 million critical minerals project.
The start of construction marks the latest phase in the company’s development programme, following progress in permitting, commercial agreements and project development. Once complete, the facility is intended to support domestic cobalt processing capacity while strengthening U.S. critical minerals supply chains.
Solar Construction Begins
Construction has started with the installation of the first permanent steel mounting piles across the 150-acre solar site. Installed in their final design locations, the piles will support the solar panels that are expected to provide power for the cobalt processing facility once operational.
The work is being carried out under a binding construction contract using engineering drawings prepared and approved by Aquila Energy, the project’s Solar EPC contractor, with engineering and project integration support provided by M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation.
Construction of the solar array is expected to continue throughout 2026 and into 2027, with pile installation, racking, electrical and civil works progressing ahead of commissioning of the cobalt processing plant. Commercial operations are expected by the end of 2029.
Supporting Domestic Critical Minerals Processing
The solar installation forms a central part of EVelution Energy’s strategy to establish a resilient domestic critical minerals processing platform supported by renewable energy and U.S.-based manufacturing.
The project is being designed to maximise the use of American-made steel, domestically manufactured equipment and U.S. engineering services. EVelution Energy has also committed to using 100 per cent American-made steel across the solar installation, battery storage systems and cobalt processing facility structures.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks another important milestone in our effort to rebuild America’s domestic critical minerals processing capability, and we’re proud to be taking that next step here in Yuma County. The piles going into the ground mark the beginning of the renewable energy system that will power the first cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility in the United States.
We’re equally proud that we’re building this project around 100% American-made structural steel, American engineering and American manufacturing,” said Navaid Alam, President & Chief Executive Officer of EVelution Energy.
Navaid Alam, President & Chief Executive Officer of EVelution Energy.
Processing Capacity
When fully operational, the Yuma County facility is expected to become the first commercial-scale cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility in the United States.
The plant is designed to process approximately 24,000 metric tons of cobalt hydroxide feedstock annually and produce up to 20,000 metric tons of electric vehicle battery-grade cobalt sulfate containing approximately 4,000 metric tons of cobalt, alongside up to 3,000 metric tons of alloy-grade cobalt metal each year.
This production capacity is expected to supply up to approximately 40 per cent of projected U.S. cobalt demand, supporting the aerospace, defence, electric vehicle battery and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Renewable Energy Integration
The 28 MW solar facility is being constructed on the company’s property in Yuma County, Arizona. Once completed, it is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power the cobalt processing plant entirely through solar energy.
Any surplus electricity generated will either be stored using on-site battery systems or supplied to the local electricity grid.
The company believes combining domestic cobalt processing with on-site solar generation, battery storage and future recycling capability forms part of its long-term strategy to strengthen domestic critical minerals supply chains.
Regional Economic Impact
EVelution Energy’s USD$450 million project is expected to generate approximately USD$1.2 billion in annual economic activity across Arizona while creating more than 6,200 direct, indirect and induced jobs over the life of the project.
Located near Tacna, Arizona, within a rural Qualified Opportunity Zone, the development is intended to support long-term industrial investment, skilled employment and supply chain activity in the region.
The company also noted that the census tract containing the project site is currently being considered for re-designation by Governor Hobbs under the next generation of the federal Opportunity Zone programme, aligning the project with longer-term rural economic development priorities.
This article was produced by the editorial team at Mining Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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